Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, has announced a surprising shift in its strategy, as highlighted in a recent blog post titled “Returning to Core.” The company revealed that it would resume its active contributions to the WordPress project, reversing a prior decision that suggested the 6.8 release would be the last major update for 2025.
The blog post detailed that after a period of pausing contributions to reassess and plan strategically, Automattic is ready to re-engage fully with the WordPress project. Their efforts will be visible across all key areas, including WordPress Core, Gutenberg, Playground, Openverse, and WordPress.org. This move underscores their ongoing mission to make publishing accessible to everyone, everywhere.
From the pause, Automattic gained insights into the diverse ways WordPress is utilized and is now more committed to fostering its growth and success. Notably, WordPress currently powers 43% of the web, underlining its importance and influence.
The change in direction has left many wondering what prompted the decision. Though specific reasons remain unclear, insiders speculate on various possibilities. Some suggest that CEO Matt Mullenweg might have faced pressure or realized that reducing involvement wasn’t beneficial for the company or its image. There are also discussions linking this decision to Automattic’s legal disputes with WP Engine, a company accused of not contributing enough to WordPress despite its considerable size and revenue.
The ongoing litigation with WP Engine centers around trademark and licensing issues, with Automattic criticizing WP Engine for profiting from WordPress’s open-source work without adequate contribution. The dispute has escalated, as WP Engine countered Automattic’s allegations, resulting in mutual legal actions.
In a recent development, Automattic had laid off 16% of its workforce, citing the need for increased agility and improvements in productivity and profitability.
This unexpected turn of events from Automattic hints at an evolving strategy and reflects ongoing challenges within the broader WordPress ecosystem. As the community and stakeholders await further clarity, this renewed commitment is seen as a pivotal moment for the future direction of WordPress.
