Automattic Resumes WordPress Contributions After Strategic Pause
After briefly stepping back from active development, Automattic—the company behind WordPress.com—is now recommitting to the open source WordPress project. In a blog post titled “Returning to Core,” the company confirmed it will resume contributions across multiple key areas, including WordPress Core, Gutenberg, Playground, Openverse, and WordPress.org.
This marks a reversal from Automattic’s previous statement in April, which said WordPress 6.8 would be the final major release for 2025. Now, just weeks later, the company is shifting course again.
“We’re ready to press play again and return fully to the WordPress project,” the blog post reads. “This return is a moment of excitement for us as it’s about continuing the mission we’ve always believed in: democratizing publishing for everyone, everywhere.”
Why the Sudden Change?
While the official message emphasizes strategy and renewal, internal sources suggest a more complex picture. According to individuals familiar with the matter, CEO Matt Mullenweg posted internally about his desire to release WordPress 6.9 this year, featuring an admin redesign and input from the company’s newly formed AI development team.
“I don’t think that will happen without our contributions,” Mullenweg reportedly wrote.
Insiders are speculating whether business pressures, brand concerns, or ongoing legal challenges may have influenced this rapid policy reversal.
The WP Engine Legal Dispute
A backdrop to this story is Automattic’s legal battle with WP Engine, a major WordPress hosting provider. Mullenweg has criticized WP Engine for allegedly profiting off WordPress without giving back meaningfully to the project. He accuses the company of confusing users by capitalizing on the WordPress name while contributing minimally to its open-source ecosystem.
This feud escalated in 2024 when Automattic banned WP Engine from WordPress.org and pursued legal action, arguing unauthorized trademark usage. WP Engine countered with its own lawsuit, disputing Automattic’s interpretation of trademark law.
This tension may have played a role in Automattic’s renewed visibility within the community.
WordPress AI Team and Future Plans
The timing of this announcement also aligns with the unveiling of WordPress’ new AI team, tasked with driving innovation in content creation, personalization, and workflow enhancements. Meant to be integrated into future WordPress versions, this AI functionality will likely feature in the upcoming 6.9 release.
Automattic’s goal appears to be regaining momentum, re-engaging with the community, and reinforcing WordPress’ leadership in the publishing platform space. Currently, WordPress powers 43% of all websites globally.
What’s Next?
After laying off 16% of its staff last month to “improve agility and profitability,” Automattic is clearly refocusing its strategy. Whether this return will ease tensions with the broader WordPress community or intensify ongoing industry rivalries remains to be seen.
What’s clear is that Automattic WordPress contributions are once again central to the platform’s future—and that future may involve a lot more AI.
