WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.359 I'm sure. 00:00:00.359 --> 00:00:03.660 We're all glad that year of WordPress is behind us. 00:00:03.899 --> 00:00:08.110 WordCamp us 2024 marked The start of a transformative era 00:00:08.110 --> 00:00:09.610 for the culture of ward pressers. 00:00:09.879 --> 00:00:12.940 A situation that thrust the community and the greater ecosystem. 00:00:13.239 --> 00:00:17.349 Into a tailspin with widespread uncertainty and instability 00:00:17.559 --> 00:00:19.059 across various sectors. 00:00:19.059 --> 00:00:21.729 As of this writing, we're still unsure how the lawsuit between 00:00:21.729 --> 00:00:25.330 Matt Mullenweg Automattic and WP engine will fully play out. 00:00:25.690 --> 00:00:28.359 While we witnessed the dust settle and find our new normal. 00:00:28.539 --> 00:00:32.319 Here are the ways I think WordPress will change over the year 2025. 00:00:32.679 --> 00:00:33.219 Number one. 00:00:33.580 --> 00:00:36.309 Automatic continues to rip off the band-aid. 00:00:36.849 --> 00:00:39.729 I think we can all agree that since the inception of Gutenberg 00:00:39.759 --> 00:00:41.410 there hasn't been a major, wow. 00:00:41.410 --> 00:00:42.609 Moment for WordPress. 00:00:42.969 --> 00:00:47.800 Usability has improved some cool concepts have shipped, but nothing showstopping 00:00:47.830 --> 00:00:50.139 has graced our WP admin dashboards. 00:00:50.499 --> 00:00:51.729 It's a two-sided coin. 00:00:51.729 --> 00:00:52.149 Really. 00:00:52.419 --> 00:00:53.830 A stable tool for publishing. 00:00:53.979 --> 00:00:54.249 Yeah. 00:00:54.639 --> 00:00:57.099 Buzzworthy or exciting for the outside world, including 00:00:57.099 --> 00:00:58.389 our closed source competitors. 00:00:58.749 --> 00:00:59.139 No. 00:00:59.679 --> 00:01:04.149 Automatic needs to stay relevant charm investors and keep building cool stuff. 00:01:04.239 --> 00:01:06.189 That's hard enough for any product company. 00:01:06.429 --> 00:01:08.230 Let alone an open source product company. 00:01:08.589 --> 00:01:12.610 It boils down to marketing and awareness, which WordPress has always struggled with. 00:01:13.059 --> 00:01:17.110 Even if Gutenberg was welcomed with open arms, excitement for building with 00:01:17.110 --> 00:01:20.830 blocks and using WordPress for your next website project was still necessary. 00:01:20.969 --> 00:01:24.689 I believe that for Matt and automatic to steer the ship back to relevancy, he 00:01:24.689 --> 00:01:29.609 needed to pull this entire operation back under full control lines needed to be 00:01:29.609 --> 00:01:32.099 drawn, and they certainly were in 2024. 00:01:32.669 --> 00:01:35.039 I noticed a different tone and body language. 00:01:35.039 --> 00:01:39.299 Wouldn't I appeared on the WP product talk earlier in 2024, the change was 00:01:39.299 --> 00:01:42.809 coming back then did I think it was going to be a scorched earth approached? 00:01:42.899 --> 00:01:47.039 No, I didn't think that you wouldn't be wrong if you argue that Mullenweg has 00:01:47.039 --> 00:01:48.719 been trending in this direction for years. 00:01:49.049 --> 00:01:52.319 But it seemed like 20, 24 was filled with far too many distractions. 00:01:52.710 --> 00:01:55.379 Uh, flailing tumbler acquisition or spending tens 00:01:55.379 --> 00:01:57.059 of millions on messenger apps. 00:01:57.059 --> 00:01:58.140 What about WordPress? 00:01:58.200 --> 00:01:59.159 I often ask myself. 00:01:59.620 --> 00:02:02.980 I've predicted that in the future we'll visit wordpress.org and find the best way 00:02:02.980 --> 00:02:06.940 to experience WordPress is@wordpress.com or by hosting WordPress powered by 00:02:06.970 --> 00:02:11.430 Jetpack, and then somewhere far below that you'll find in small text, click 00:02:11.430 --> 00:02:12.960 here to download WordPress for free. 00:02:13.800 --> 00:02:17.310 In the short term, ripping off the bandaid to let the world know Mattson charges. 00:02:17.490 --> 00:02:19.080 One step closer to that reality. 00:02:19.440 --> 00:02:22.770 One step closer and fewer distractions for Mullenweg, perhaps less 00:02:22.770 --> 00:02:26.760 community involvement and much more mothership and control in 2025. 00:02:27.720 --> 00:02:28.560 Prediction number two. 00:02:29.070 --> 00:02:31.230 Community becomes communities. 00:02:31.890 --> 00:02:34.710 The WordPress community, as we knew it is not coming back. 00:02:35.070 --> 00:02:38.970 You're either for or against automatic using the project or spinning up 00:02:38.970 --> 00:02:42.300 your own fork, meaning us on X or you've already quit the whole thing. 00:02:42.300 --> 00:02:44.820 And you're riding off into the sunset in a new CMS. 00:02:45.870 --> 00:02:46.410 I'm still left. 00:02:46.410 --> 00:02:48.000 Wondering what would Joseph ado. 00:02:48.750 --> 00:02:51.390 There have been two public opportunities for Mary Hubbard, the 00:02:51.390 --> 00:02:54.690 new executive director of WordPress to share her plans for the community. 00:02:54.990 --> 00:02:57.570 Both appearances have left me still searching for answers. 00:02:58.020 --> 00:02:58.920 On a live stream with Mullen. 00:02:59.250 --> 00:03:01.470 Hubbard mentioned not wanting to be Joseph at two point. 00:03:01.470 --> 00:03:02.850 Oh, totally understandable. 00:03:02.850 --> 00:03:05.340 No one wants to be 2.0 of their predecessor. 00:03:05.550 --> 00:03:08.940 However, the north star held by the previous ed was shining 00:03:08.940 --> 00:03:12.440 bright with the desire to Help WordPress thrive a call to action. 00:03:12.680 --> 00:03:14.000 We could all rally around. 00:03:14.780 --> 00:03:17.570 And the state of the word 2024 Hubbard opened up with. 00:03:17.660 --> 00:03:21.680 Well, I am deeply passionate about defending and celebrating WordPress. 00:03:22.040 --> 00:03:24.560 And this is where I believe the community begins to fracture. 00:03:24.560 --> 00:03:27.230 Is WordPress truly under attack from external forces. 00:03:27.470 --> 00:03:30.950 Specifically private equity or is it just suffocating from within. 00:03:31.640 --> 00:03:34.670 On paper P E consuming more of WordPress's a good thing. 00:03:34.970 --> 00:03:38.000 From what I've witnessed in the traditional tech space, they don't care 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:39.650 much for community investment either. 00:03:40.130 --> 00:03:43.520 The playbook is to grow the asset, sell the asset and keep the 00:03:43.520 --> 00:03:45.950 revolving door for the portfolio. 00:03:46.010 --> 00:03:46.490 Moving. 00:03:47.120 --> 00:03:50.570 However, I also don't agree with Matt and automatic turning the 00:03:50.570 --> 00:03:54.470 community into cannon fodder, something that has done magnitudes 00:03:54.470 --> 00:03:55.820 more damage than a fiscal quarter. 00:03:55.820 --> 00:03:58.700 Then if Silverlake sold WP engine to Wix. 00:03:59.360 --> 00:04:03.020 We the community could have been the biggest advocates for mullenweg's 00:04:03.050 --> 00:04:07.220 change, but instead we were tossed aside, regardless of tenure or contribution. 00:04:08.480 --> 00:04:10.760 This is why we'll see more micro communities pop up 00:04:10.790 --> 00:04:12.980 around WordPress through 2025. 00:04:13.250 --> 00:04:16.820 People fall out of love with WordPress as a quote place to be. 00:04:17.120 --> 00:04:20.450 And WordPress just gets tossed into the toolbox alongside things 00:04:20.450 --> 00:04:22.490 like MailChimp or Google apps. 00:04:23.240 --> 00:04:26.810 It has transformed from an open source project backed by a global community 00:04:27.110 --> 00:04:29.210 into a free website builder by automatic. 00:04:29.780 --> 00:04:34.160 Over 2025, WordPress will go from one big community to a decentralized 00:04:34.160 --> 00:04:38.030 collection of users who care less about the mission of WordPress and 00:04:38.030 --> 00:04:40.280 more about building their websites. 00:04:41.210 --> 00:04:42.080 Prediction number three. 00:04:42.470 --> 00:04:44.360 Playground is the future for WordPress. 00:04:45.170 --> 00:04:48.650 As sure as the iPhone gets 10% better year after year. 00:04:48.860 --> 00:04:50.540 So does the software have WordPress? 00:04:50.810 --> 00:04:52.370 So, yes, that's part of this prediction. 00:04:52.370 --> 00:04:56.030 WordPress, the software does get better, but probably not by all that much. 00:04:56.510 --> 00:04:59.360 Playground, we'll start to set an important stage for WordPress. 00:04:59.360 --> 00:05:03.530 One that I think is needed for the longterm survivability and interest. 00:05:03.830 --> 00:05:04.550 Of the product. 00:05:05.270 --> 00:05:08.180 To stay competitive, relevant in easily accessible. 00:05:08.180 --> 00:05:10.790 The playground will take the center stage and here's why. 00:05:11.330 --> 00:05:16.220 As I explored other software in 2024, specifically other CMS apps, no other 00:05:16.220 --> 00:05:18.140 website allowed me to try their software. 00:05:18.140 --> 00:05:19.430 Hands-on in the browser. 00:05:19.670 --> 00:05:22.280 Without installing registering like WordPress camp. 00:05:23.540 --> 00:05:26.960 Even if you argue that WordPress's monolithic uses old technologies and 00:05:26.960 --> 00:05:28.580 generally can't get out of its own way. 00:05:28.850 --> 00:05:34.100 I don't see other tech stacks solving the complete stack like WordPress does website 00:05:34.100 --> 00:05:37.610 builder, theme layer, drag, and drop design publishing, plugins, and ecosystem 00:05:37.610 --> 00:05:39.650 of login infrastructure, et cetera. 00:05:40.130 --> 00:05:41.420 It's a real light bulb moment. 00:05:41.420 --> 00:05:45.050 When you put that power instantly into the hands of someone looking to learn, 00:05:45.050 --> 00:05:46.700 build, or publish online without friction. 00:05:47.480 --> 00:05:50.930 Playground allows you to build out a custom WordPress instance, save the 00:05:50.960 --> 00:05:54.650 blueprint, and then theoretically, deploy that to your hosting provider. 00:05:55.130 --> 00:05:58.850 Most important of all it lets you learn how the web and the software works. 00:05:58.850 --> 00:05:59.030 All. 00:05:59.030 --> 00:06:00.710 Thanks to doing it in the browser. 00:06:01.460 --> 00:06:05.120 Most developers are already running their own Docker variants for local development 00:06:05.120 --> 00:06:09.140 with deployment workflows wired up so deep that on their laptops, they forget which 00:06:09.140 --> 00:06:10.610 directory their shell scripts are in. 00:06:10.970 --> 00:06:13.820 But for the average user to play with WordPress without risk 00:06:13.820 --> 00:06:15.830 or cost is a tremendous boon. 00:06:16.460 --> 00:06:20.030 In 2025, look for playground to play a critical role in capturing 00:06:20.030 --> 00:06:21.800 new users for the platform. 00:06:23.420 --> 00:06:24.380 Prediction number four. 00:06:24.770 --> 00:06:26.450 Automatic cuts the product fat. 00:06:27.260 --> 00:06:28.970 Automatic has a lot of products. 00:06:28.970 --> 00:06:32.960 Just look at the proportion of the lineup that doesn't directly impact 00:06:32.960 --> 00:06:37.700 WordPress simple note, long reads tumbler CloudApp beeper pocket CAS day one. 00:06:37.700 --> 00:06:38.720 The list does go on. 00:06:39.289 --> 00:06:42.440 Yes, I'm sure that the case can be made that it fits the automatic culture, 00:06:42.559 --> 00:06:46.669 but how does it directly make WordPress a better product or experience? 00:06:47.240 --> 00:06:49.400 Well, the bandaid is still being torn off this whole thing. 00:06:49.400 --> 00:06:52.549 Now is the time for automatic to get hyper-focused on the CMS. 00:06:52.760 --> 00:06:54.770 Most of us have a vested interest in. 00:06:55.370 --> 00:06:59.600 I predict Milan WEG will evaluate whether or not he needs these accessory products. 00:06:59.600 --> 00:07:01.820 The still Dawn, the automatic footer badge. 00:07:02.210 --> 00:07:05.030 If my predictions are correct, cutting the distractions that automatic 00:07:05.330 --> 00:07:06.740 makes the most business sense. 00:07:06.890 --> 00:07:10.610 Matt has signaled to the community and to investors that he's taking this 20 00:07:10.610 --> 00:07:13.569 plus year old Project back under control. 00:07:14.049 --> 00:07:17.019 The call from her focus was heard and it's time to execute. 00:07:17.139 --> 00:07:20.739 If we are to believe that automatic is the sole defender of WordPress, then 00:07:20.739 --> 00:07:22.719 all resources should go into defending. 00:07:22.719 --> 00:07:23.889 Well, WordPress. 00:07:24.309 --> 00:07:26.709 Make a better product and double down on that effort. 00:07:26.829 --> 00:07:30.759 Reassign the iOS and Android teams within automatic to the studio 00:07:30.759 --> 00:07:34.419 team bridge the studio native app through the playground web based app. 00:07:34.569 --> 00:07:37.659 Then tie playground into wordpress.com or pressable hosting. 00:07:37.929 --> 00:07:39.279 There's your flywheel. 00:07:40.059 --> 00:07:42.669 An end-to-end WordPress design development, education and 00:07:42.669 --> 00:07:46.269 deployment workflow, but it doesn't happen with all that extra 00:07:46.269 --> 00:07:47.709 product overhead hanging around. 00:07:48.309 --> 00:07:51.309 In 2025, automatic closes out a lot of products. 00:07:51.459 --> 00:07:53.949 They don't need in doubles down on WordPress. 00:07:53.949 --> 00:07:55.209 Fifth and final prediction. 00:07:55.569 --> 00:07:56.889 AI threatens everything. 00:07:57.339 --> 00:07:57.639 Okay. 00:07:57.669 --> 00:08:00.129 Remember, I'm still trying to make sense of this mess. 00:08:00.609 --> 00:08:04.239 AI threatened WordPress and mullenweg's John Connor came back to tell him if 00:08:04.239 --> 00:08:06.999 you don't burn this whole thing down now and take control, you're screwed. 00:08:07.539 --> 00:08:08.319 And scene. 00:08:09.159 --> 00:08:12.339 Having gone all in, on some AI experimentation last year, I can 00:08:12.339 --> 00:08:16.839 confidently say that building for the web is changing rapidly right before our eyes. 00:08:17.019 --> 00:08:21.009 Most AI building tools plugged into WordPress are merely parlor tricks. 00:08:21.309 --> 00:08:25.149 Once users start prompting chat GPT to build the software they want. 00:08:25.179 --> 00:08:28.029 And it's hosted in the cloud, the landscape of web 00:08:28.029 --> 00:08:29.649 development changes dramatically. 00:08:30.129 --> 00:08:32.379 At that point, every piece of software is under threat. 00:08:32.379 --> 00:08:35.199 And so it was WordPress has coveted 45% of the web. 00:08:35.559 --> 00:08:36.489 And let's be clear. 00:08:36.639 --> 00:08:39.609 That's not something I'm rooting for, but it looks like the path that we're on. 00:08:40.089 --> 00:08:42.069 It's not all doom and gloom for WordPress though. 00:08:42.069 --> 00:08:45.729 My time with AI has also given me a new appreciation for the software. 00:08:46.479 --> 00:08:50.170 Sure I can spin up a blog built bespoke using whatever JS framework 00:08:50.170 --> 00:08:51.729 chat, GPT, suggest that day. 00:08:51.969 --> 00:08:54.969 But it's not sustainable and it's not a way to develop software. 00:08:55.430 --> 00:08:58.309 Even if you prompted your AI overlord to build a WordPress 00:08:58.309 --> 00:09:00.949 cologne, who's going to take care of the bugs, the security patches, a 00:09:00.949 --> 00:09:02.779 future iterations of cool features. 00:09:03.139 --> 00:09:04.489 Not me, probably not. 00:09:04.489 --> 00:09:04.969 You. 00:09:05.299 --> 00:09:06.109 It was built. 00:09:06.229 --> 00:09:09.259 You used it for a while and then it landed in the digital trash heap. 00:09:09.859 --> 00:09:14.299 When WordPress loses market share to quote unknown AI apps and future 00:09:14.299 --> 00:09:18.019 charts, it makes up for when somebody chooses WordPress because humans 00:09:18.019 --> 00:09:21.749 made it It's a complete package And is being cared for by automatic. 00:09:22.060 --> 00:09:23.500 AI isn't doing that for you. 00:09:24.010 --> 00:09:24.460 Yet. 00:09:25.060 --> 00:09:29.560 In 2025, look for automatic to release its first version of building WordPress 00:09:29.560 --> 00:09:31.780 with AI, whatever that ends up being hint. 00:09:32.110 --> 00:09:33.610 It might also start with the playground. 00:09:33.610 --> 00:09:37.260 Now is the best time to invest in WordPress, the 2024 WordPress 00:09:37.260 --> 00:09:40.950 timeline left us with a lot of uncertainty, but I do believe now is 00:09:40.950 --> 00:09:42.390 the best time for you to invest here. 00:09:42.720 --> 00:09:45.570 There are many of us who still wants to see WordPress thrive, even 00:09:45.570 --> 00:09:48.660 if the hallways to the community look a little different these days. 00:09:49.170 --> 00:09:52.230 WordPress is still the foundation of so many livelihoods giving back 00:09:52.230 --> 00:09:55.290 to the project and challenging the status quo will be at a premium. 00:09:55.620 --> 00:09:56.940 Remaining extremely important. 00:09:57.450 --> 00:10:00.750 And while you might have to get comfortable with a new normal, those 00:10:00.750 --> 00:10:04.590 who find fresh ways to invest here, we'll see a return on their commitment.