WordPress, Web Design, SEO, Technology, And Development News
If you’re diving into SEO, understanding how to manage search engine crawlers is crucial. Google’s Martin Splitt recently broke down the differences between the “noindex” tag and the “disallow” command in a YouTube video, offering tips on when and how to use each effectively. Here’s a simple guide to help you optimize your website’s search visibility. What’s the Difference Between Noindex and Disallow? Both tools help control how search engines…
Mark Your Calendars! WordCamp Europe 2025, the flagship event for WordPress enthusiasts, is heading to Basel, Switzerland, from June 5–7, 2025. This 13th edition promises to be an unforgettable gathering of developers, designers, business owners, and WordPress enthusiasts from across the globe. With preparations underway, organizers are actively seeking dynamic speakers and sponsors to contribute to the event’s success. Here’s everything you need to know if you want to get…
In a recent shake-up, DreamHost has been removed from the WordPress.org Recommended Hosting page. This update, made by Samuel Wood (aka “Otto”), a developer for Audrey Capital, now leaves only Pressable, Bluehost, and Hostinger as WordPress-endorsed hosting providers. The change came with minimal fanfare and no public explanation. The associated changeset note simply stated, “Hosting: rm dreamhost, per matt”—a cryptic reference that appears to point to WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg….
A critical vulnerability has been discovered in the CleanTalk Anti-Spam plugin for WordPress, which is widely used to protect websites from spam attacks. This flaw, affecting over 200,000 installations, has been given a severity rating of 9.8 out of 10, emphasizing its grave potential for exploitation. What’s the Issue? The vulnerability lies in an authentication bypass, allowing attackers to access websites without needing login credentials. Essentially, this flaw enables bad…
If you’re part of a thriving WordPress community and dream of putting your city on the global tech map, here’s your chance! WordCamp Asia, one of the flagship events for WordPress enthusiasts, is officially on the hunt for a host city for its 2026 edition. With previous events in vibrant cities like Bangkok (2023) and Taipei (2024), and Manila gearing up for 2025, the stage is set for another show-stopping…
If you’re looking for quick wins in SEO, focusing on “low-hanging fruit” strategies is the perfect starting point. These approaches require minimal effort but can deliver significant results. Whether you’re trying to boost content visibility, show rapid progress to stakeholders, or set the foundation for long-term growth, here are 12 actionable tactics to implement today. 1. Target Keywords You’re Already Ranking For Instead of chasing new, highly competitive keywords, focus…
Maintaining strong SEO performance isn’t just about crafting a strategy; it’s about consistent execution. From daily tasks to yearly evaluations, an effective SEO plan ensures steady progress and long-term success. Let’s dive into a systematic breakdown of essential SEO activities categorized by frequency—daily, monthly, quarterly, and yearly—so you can achieve maximum return on investment (ROI). Daily Tasks: Laying the Foundation for Success 1. Stay Informed SEO evolves rapidly. Staying updated…
Coca-Cola’s attempt to sprinkle AI magic on its iconic holiday advertising has left consumers and critics feeling more frost than festive cheer. The brand’s new AI-generated holiday ads—a modern twist on the beloved “Holidays Are Coming” campaign—have sparked controversy, with many questioning whether the technology has stripped the spirit out of Christmas. Here’s what went wrong, how the campaign measures up to its predecessors, and what brands can learn from…
Google has updated its policies on site reputation abuse, doubling down on its commitment to curb practices that exploit the trustworthiness of well-established domains. This policy, first introduced earlier this year, aims to crack down on “parasite SEO” tactics, where third-party content is used to manipulate search rankings at the expense of a site’s credibility. What Is Site Reputation Abuse? At its core, site reputation abuse occurs when third-party content…
On November 12, 2024, WordPress 6.7, nicknamed “Rollins,” debuted with high hopes. However, the release encountered hiccups almost immediately, with users reporting increased error rates. Many experienced 502 “Bad Gateway” errors, and some found their websites disrupted—a frustrating outcome for site owners and developers alike. In response, WordPress contributors quickly sprang into action. To address these issues and ensure a smoother experience for all users, a follow-up release, WordPress 6.7.1,…
It’s 2024, and guess what? Many of us are still using “123456” as our password. If that makes you wince, you’re not alone. NordPass has just released its sixth annual study on the 200 most common passwords worldwide, and the findings highlight a troubling trend: we’re still pretty careless when it comes to digital security. Familiar Failures at the Top For six years running, NordPass has examined the world’s password…
Effective link-building is a cornerstone of successful SEO strategies, but not all links are created equal. Bad or toxic backlinks can damage your website’s reputation, hinder search engine rankings, and potentially lead to penalties. Understanding which tactics to avoid can help protect your site while building a reliable and sustainable online presence. Here’s a breakdown of toxic link-building practices you should steer clear of and tips for identifying and addressing…
The legal clash between WP Engine (WPE) and Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, has taken a sharp turn, with WP Engine escalating its federal lawsuit. The updated complaint centers on a controversial website—WP Engine Tracker—which WPE claims exposes customer data, undermines its business, and leaves its clients vulnerable to cybercrime. Why WP Engine is Taking Legal Action WP Engine accuses Automattic and its CEO, Matt Mullenweg, of creating and promoting…
The WordPress Design Team has unveiled a cutting-edge WordPress Design System library for Figma, the go-to design tool for creating mockups and prototypes. James Koster, an Automattician and contributor to WordPress, shared the motivation behind this new resource: “The intention of this resource is to streamline the design process for those working in the WordPress ecosystem.” What’s in the New Library? The Figma library is packed with features to simplify…
WordPress has unveiled its latest update, version 6.7, nicknamed “Rollins.” Released on November 12, this update brings a host of new features, a sleek default theme called Twenty Twenty-Five, and major enhancements designed to elevate the user experience. Here’s a breakdown of what’s new in this pivotal release. — New Features in WordPress 6.7 1. Twenty Twenty-Five Default Theme The new default theme is built with adaptability and user creativity…
The popular WordPress plugin Happy Addons for Elementor—used by over 400,000 websites—has recently patched a security vulnerability that previously left many sites at risk. This flaw, known as a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability, allowed attackers with minimal permissions to inject harmful scripts onto a site, potentially compromising site visitors and owners. Background on Happy Addons for Elementor Happy Addons is a plugin that enhances the Elementor page builder with…
Get ready for what promises to be one of the most exciting moments in the WordPress world this year! Matt Mullenweg, WordPress co-founder and CEO of Automattic, will deliver his highly anticipated annual address—State of the Word—from Tokyo, Japan on December 16, 2024. Here’s everything you need to know about tuning in and what hot topics are expected to be on the agenda. Why 2024’s Address Stands Out Mullenweg’s annual…
A recent study highlights the power of video on LinkedIn, revealing that video posts consistently achieve three times the reach of text-based content, particularly when they’re posted in the morning and kept under five minutes. This insight comes from marketing strategist Caroline Giegerich, who conducted a 90-day analysis to test LinkedIn’s claims about video performance. Key Takeaways from the Study Giegerich’s analysis, published in Adweek, aimed to verify LinkedIn’s claim…
The online world is changing, and new rules are emerging to give publishers the power to control if and how AI bots use publicly available content for training purposes. These guidelines, still in the proposal stage, suggest new additions to existing internet standards like the Robots Exclusion Protocol and Meta Robots tags to enable publishers to block AI crawlers from scraping their websites. Crafted by Krishna Madhavan, Principal Product Manager…
Google has launched its highly anticipated November 2024 core update, a significant adjustment to its search algorithm that impacts search rankings worldwide. This update aims to refine how Google evaluates and ranks content, ultimately shaping what users see at the top of search results. Here’s what the average site owner and consumer need to know about this update, how it works, and what it means for website traffic and visibility….
HeroPress, a platform founded by Topher DeRosia to elevate voices within the WordPress community, has just celebrated its 10th anniversary. Initially created to shine a light on individuals who overcame personal and professional challenges through their connection to WordPress, HeroPress has grown into a unique storytelling hub. For a decade now, it has featured inspiring narratives from diverse individuals who have leveraged the platform for new opportunities and successes. The…
WPGraphQL, a popular plugin that brings powerful GraphQL functionality to WordPress sites, is gaining a new level of endorsement within the WordPress ecosystem. Its creator, Jason Bahl, recently joined Automattic, aligning WPGraphQL with WordPress’s parent company and positioning it to become an official “canonical plugin” on WordPress.org. What is WPGraphQL? WPGraphQL introduces a GraphQL API for WordPress, allowing developers to query WordPress data more efficiently and flexibly compared to traditional…
Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, recently found its WP Engine Tracker website blocked by Cloudflare, flagged as a “suspected phishing” site. This temporary block sent ripples through the WordPress community, particularly on Reddit, where some users enthusiastically cheered Cloudflare’s move. Adding a twist to the story, a new domain similar to Automattic’s site—WPEngineTracker.com—was registered, sparking even more interest. Background on Automattic’s WP Engine Tracker Site Automattic, believed to be operating…
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, recently experienced a massive financial surge, adding $15 billion to his net worth in a single day following the 2024 U.S. election. This 11,538 percent return on investment, from the estimated $130 million he poured into Donald Trump’s campaign, signals that Musk is looking at this victory as much more than a political shift. But what does Musk, and his various ventures, actually stand…
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