In this week’s episode of The WP Week Podcast, we unpack major developments from the WordPress ecosystem and beyond. WordPress 6.8 Release Candidate 1 is out, bringing accessibility improvements, REST API enhancements, and translation readiness ahead of the April 15 launch. We also cover WooCommerce 9.8 RC, global sponsorship announcements, and serious plugin vulnerabilities impacting thousands of sites.Plus, we explore Google’s $100M settlement, OpenAI’s latest GPT-4o updates, new partnerships and acquisitions across the WordPress space, and innovative tools from the CloudFest Hackathon like CMSFreedom and Slop Stopper.Sponsored by:🔹 Kinsta – Enterprise-grade WordPress hosting with blazing-fast performance and built-in security.🔹 Omnisend – A top-rated email & SMS marketing tool that helps eCommerce brands grow effortlessly.🔹 WP Job Openings – The easy-to-use recruitment plugin that helps you build a career page and start hiring in minutes.🎧 Tune in now for the latest WordPress news, community updates, and emerging tech trends!

In this week’s episode of The WP Week Podcast, we cover the latest WordPress updates, security news, and community highlights. We discuss the upcoming WP Engine vs. Automattic trial, WordPress 6.8 Beta 3’s new features, and major security patches for Next.js and popular WordPress plugins.

Plus, we dive into key SEO changes from Google, exciting new WordPress projects, and business updates from UpdraftPlus, weDevs, and more.

This episode is sponsored by:

🔹 Kinsta – Premium WordPress hosting with lightning-fast performance and enterprise-level security.

🔹 Omnisend – A powerful email & SMS marketing tool for eCommerce.

🔹 FuseWP – Seamlessly sync your WordPress users with your email marketing platform.

Tune in now for all the latest WordPress news! 🎧🚀

This week on The WP Week Podcast, we cover significant developments in the WordPress ecosystem, including Newfold Digital’s drastic reduction in its Five for the Future pledge from 329 hours to just 20, impacting contributions from Yoast and YITH. WordPress 6.8 Beta 2 has been released, introducing a new function for streamlined block registration and enhanced internationalization.WooCommerce 9.8 RC1’s release has been delayed due to conflicts with WordPress 6.8 Beta 2. On the security front, over 1,000 WordPress sites have been compromised with JavaScript backdoors, and a high-severity vulnerability in the All-in-One WP Migration plugin has been patched.In broader tech updates, Google plans to replace Google Assistant with Gemini across various devices, and Google’s structured data guidelines for return policies now require country specifications. Meanwhile, Meta is urging advertisers to integrate Google Analytics, and Pocket Casts’ web player is now free for all users.The WordPress Security Report 2024 by Patchstack and Sucuri revealed nearly 8,000 vulnerabilities last year, with 96% in plugins. Discussions at the WP:25 virtual conference highlighted the future of WordPress, including AI integration and enterprise adoption.In the community, WordCamp Europe 2025 introduced its Wapuu mascot inspired by the Basel Carnival. The Amelia Booking plugin reached 80,000 active installations, and Kadence Blocks surpassed 500,000 installs. Discussions about reducing major WordPress updates to two per year sparked mixed reactions, while Jack Forge highlighted the growing need for AI-built product code audits.Exciting new projects include a TailwindCSS editor for Gutenberg by Rémi Corson, the Monitor site health tool by Fueled+10up, and PHPacker by Willem Leuverink. Jeff Starr launched Head Meta Pro, the premium version of his popular plugin.🔹 Sponsored by:

• Kinsta — Premium WordPress hosting with top-tier security and fast load times. • Omnisend — A leading email and SMS marketing tool for eCommerce. • WP Job Openings — The easy recruitment plugin for creating a career page and hiring effortlessly.Stay connected with the latest in WordPress—tune in now! 🚀

This week on The WP Week Podcast, we cover major developments in the WordPress ecosystem, including a privacy controversy involving Jetpack tracking search history, WordPress securing new trademarks for “Managed WordPress” and “Hosted WordPress,” and the release of WordPress 6.8 Beta 1 with a powerful new feature—Speculative Loading for faster page speeds.

We also discuss changes to WordPress support forums restricting branded accounts, Automattic becoming a Global Sponsor, and Matt Mullenweg’s criticism of hosting providers charging high fees for security services.

In security news, a critical vulnerability in the Chaty Pro plugin has been patched, and WooCommerce has made significant performance improvements, reducing subscription callbacks from 4,550 to just 24.

In acquisitions, UpdraftPlus has acquired Burst Statistics, and Google has discontinued its controversial “Page Annotations” feature. Plus, we explore the impact of AI Overviews on search clickthrough rates and new updates to Google’s robots meta tag for AI indexing.

Other highlights include Hostinger securing a spot on the FT 1000 list, ClassifAI integrating with Ollama for local AI processing, and a rebranding of Tailwind UI to Tailwind Plus.

Finally, we introduce new projects like WPConsent, a cookie management plugin, and Content Sparks, a new content-focused show from Doo the Woo.

🔹 Sponsored by:

• Kinsta – Premium WordPress hosting with enterprise-level security and lightning-fast load times.

• Omnisend – A top-rated email & SMS marketing tool for eCommerce businesses.

• WP Job Openings – A simple recruitment plugin to help you build a career page and hire talent quickly.

Stay updated with all things WordPress—tune in now! 🚀

In this episode of The WP Week, we dive into the latest news and updates from the WordPress ecosystem. The legal battle between WP Engine and Automattic heats up, with new court filings and speculation about Automattic’s revenue challenges. We explore how over 50,000 websites have migrated away from WP Engine and what this means for the community.

We also cover exciting developments around International Women’s Day, including WordCamps and diversity initiatives, plus an insightful retrospective on the WordPress 6.7 “Rollins” release. Get the scoop on upcoming releases like WordPress 6.8 and Gutenberg 20.3, and learn about new features such as improved pattern organization and progress tracking on Learn WordPress.

In security news, a Reflected XSS vulnerability in the Essential Addons for Elementor plugin has been patched, and Microsoft has removed risky VSCode extensions from its marketplace. We also discuss the latest trends, including a Vox Media survey revealing younger generations are turning to AI tools over traditional search engines.

On the business side, we celebrate milestones with Brainstorm Force’s 16-year anniversary and SureCart’s approach to 100,000 active installs. New projects like Divi AI, Autodelve, and the new Fontis Block plugin by WP Messiah showcase the vibrant innovation in the community.

🔹 Sponsored by:

• Kinsta: Delivering lightning-fast load times, enterprise-level security, and automatic daily backups powered by Google Cloud’s premium tier network.

• Omnisend: The top-rated email & SMS marketing tool for eCommerce that helps you boost sales effortlessly.

• WP Job Openings: The easy-peasy recruitment plugin that lets you create a career page and start recruiting talent in minutes, making your hiring process a breeze.

Stay tuned for more updates, and keep your WordPress sites secure and up-to-date. Don’t miss out—tune in now! 🚀

In this episode of The WP Week, we cover major developments in the WordPress ecosystem, from halted trademark applications and WordPress 6.8’s new security enhancements to WooCommerce updates and the latest plugin vulnerabilities. We also dive into the upcoming WP:25 virtual conference, Tumblr’s move to the fediverse, and Shopify’s explosive growth.

🔹 Sponsor Shoutout:

- Omnisend – Top-rated email & SMS marketing for eCommerce.

- InMotion Hosting – Fast, reliable hosting with 99.99% uptime.

- Kinsta – The highest-rated managed WordPress host on G2.

Stay ahead in WordPress—tune in now! 🚀

In this episode of The WP Week, we cover the latest drama and developments in the WordPress ecosystem.

Matt Mullenweg bars Joost de Valk from speaking at WordCamp Asia, Ric Johnson’s domain transfer story resurfaces, and WordPress 6.8’s roadmap is revealed.

We also dive into WooCommerce’s rebranding, critical security patches, and upcoming community events.

This episode is sponsored by:

-Omnisend: A top-rated email & SMS marketing tool for eCommerce, helping you boost sales effortlessly.

-InMotion Hosting: Fast and reliable web hosting with 24/7/365 support, 99.99% uptime, free SSL, and a free domain for a year.

-Kinsta: The top-rated managed WordPress host on G2, with a 4.8/5 rating.

Stay informed—tune in now!

In this episode of The WP Week, we break down the latest updates in the WordPress ecosystem.

From major changes in WordCamp sponsorship policies to the ongoing WP Engine legal battle, we’ve got all the key stories.

We also cover plugin security patches, hosting acquisitions, AI-driven search updates, and upcoming WordPress events.

This episode is sponsored by:

- Omnisend: A top-rated email & SMS marketing tool for eCommerce, helping you boost sales effortlessly.

- InMotion Hosting: Fast and reliable web hosting with 24/7/365 support, 99.99% uptime, free SSL, and a free domain for a year.

- Kinsta: The top-rated managed WordPress host on G2, with a 4.8/5 rating.

Stay informed and keep your WordPress sites secure—tune in now!

In this week’s episode of The WP Week Podcast, we dive into the latest developments in the WordPress ecosystem.

From the ongoing legal drama between WP Engine and Automattic to new plugin updates, cybersecurity concerns, and accessibility improvements, we've got you covered.

Plus, hear about the latest in community news, including WordCamp Asia scholarships and new product launches like the AI-powered website builder from GreenGeeks and the Repo plugin for GitHub integration.

Sponsored by:

Omnisend: Elevate your eCommerce with top-rated email & SMS marketing tools.

InMotion Hosting: Scalable web hosting and server solutions tailored for your needs.

Kinsta: The top-rated managed WordPress host, trusted by professionals worldwide.

Tune in now to stay ahead in the ever-evolving WordPress landscape!

Welcome back to another episode of The WP Week, your go-to source for the latest updates in the world of WordPress and web security.

In this episode, we dive into the dramatic developments within the WordPress community, including Matt Mullenweg's challenge to fork WordPress, Automattic's significant reduction in contribution hours, and the dissolution of the WordPress Sustainability Team.

We also cover the upcoming WordPress 6.8 release, the 200th Gutenberg plugin update, and critical security patches. Plus, we highlight new projects and innovations in the WordPress ecosystem.

Sponsors:

• Omnisend: A top-rated email & SMS marketing tool for ecommerce.

• InMotion Hosting: Scalable web hosting and server solutions provider.

• WP Job Openings: The best-rated job listing and recruitment plugin for WordPress websites.

Tune in to stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of WordPress and web technologies!