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Aaron Fernandes

Aaron Fernandes is a web developer, designer, and WordPress expert with over 11 years of experience.

Why Some Plugin Developers Are Pulling Out of the WordPress.org Repository

By WordPress No Comments
Recently, the WordPress plugin ecosystem saw significant shifts as several well-known plugin developers decided to remove their plugins from the WordPress.org repository. This wave of departures follows controversies around the takeover of the Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) plugin, and concerns about WordPress.org's governance and transparency. Here’s what’s happening and what it means for users. Gravity PDF Leaves WordPress.org Gravity PDF, a popular plugin used by over 50,000 sites, announced it’s…
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WordPress Splits from ACF Plugin with New Fork ‘Secure Custom Fields’: Here’s What You Need to Know

By WordPress No Comments
WordPress recently announced a new chapter for one of its most popular plugins, Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), with a forked version called Secure Custom Fields (SCF). The fork, led by WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg, marks a significant development for plugin users and web developers alike. Let’s break down what happened, why it matters, and what you need to know if you’re using ACF on your site. What Happened? The WordPress…
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Jetpack 13.9.1: Essential Security Update to Fix Contact Form Vulnerability

By WordPress No Comments
Jetpack has just rolled out version 13.9.1 to address a critical security flaw in its Contact Form feature—a vulnerability present since 2016. This newly patched flaw could have allowed logged-in users on a website to access private information from form submissions, posing a risk for unauthorized data exposure. Discovery and Immediate Action The issue came to light during an internal security audit by the Jetpack team, who quickly joined forces…
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Automattic and Matt Mullenweg Request Dismissal of Major Claims in WP Engine Lawsuit

By WordPress No Comments
In a recent legal battle between Automattic and WP Engine, Automattic, founded by WordPress co-creator Matt Mullenweg, is pushing back against claims that it has unfairly restricted WP Engine's access to WordPress resources. Here's a breakdown of what's happening, why it matters, and what each side is arguing. Background of the Dispute On October 18, 2024, WP Engine, a managed WordPress hosting provider, filed a lawsuit against Automattic in a…
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WordPress Expands Code of Conduct to Address Private Conversations, Sparking Community Debate

By WordPress No Comments
WordPress has taken a significant step to strengthen privacy protections within its community by updating its Code of Conduct. The platform, which powers nearly half of all websites globally, aims to maintain a respectful and inclusive space for users, contributors, and developers alike. In a recent announcement, Automattic’s Marketing Lead, Nicholas Garofalo, confirmed that WordPress now considers publishing private messages without consent a violation of its Community Code of Conduct.…
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New Insights in Core Web Vitals: Interaction to Next Paint (INP)

By SEO No Comments
Google has recently updated its Core Web Vitals documentation, providing fresh insights into the Interaction to Next Paint (INP) metric, including why certain scoring thresholds were chosen. INP is now an essential component of Core Web Vitals, which are Google’s benchmarks for evaluating a site’s user experience, especially in terms of speed and interactivity. What is Interaction to Next Paint (INP)? Introduced as a Core Web Vital in spring 2024,…
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Understanding Google’s Broad Core Algorithm Update: What It Means for Your Website Rankings

By SEO No Comments
Google periodically rolls out broad core algorithm updates that impact website rankings in search results. While specific details are often elusive, these updates significantly affect how search results are ranked, creating shifts that leave SEO professionals and site owners wondering about their rankings. Let’s dive into what a Google broad core algorithm update is, how it differs from other updates, and what steps you can take if your site is…
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ChatGPT Search vs. Google: A New Era in Search Begins

By AI No Comments
ChatGPT Search (CGS) by OpenAI is reshaping how we think about finding information online, directly challenging Google’s longstanding dominance. CGS integrates conversational AI into the search experience, delivering direct answers instead of requiring users to wade through endless links and web pages. What Makes ChatGPT Search Different? CGS is designed to simplify the search experience. Unlike traditional search engines, which display a long list of results, CGS aims to deliver…
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YouTube Unveils New ‘Data Stories’ and Tools for Creators’ First-Day Video Metrics

By Social Media No Comments
YouTube is stepping up its game with fresh analytics tools and interactive features designed to give creators deeper insights into their content’s performance and connect more effectively with their audiences. These new tools make it easier to measure a video’s impact in the critical first 24 hours and facilitate brand collaborations, while also helping creators find and respond to important comments. Here’s everything you need to know about YouTube’s latest…
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Executive Director of WordPress Resigns: Reflecting on Leadership and Community Amidst Turmoil

By WordPress No Comments
Josepha Haden Chomphosy, the Executive Director of the WordPress Project, has officially stepped down from her position, marking the end of a nine-year journey that saw her grow as a leader and advocate for the open-source community. The announcement follows a period of tension within the WordPress ecosystem, highlighted by recent legal and organizational challenges. Reflecting on Her Tenure and the Future In her farewell blog post, Chomphosy maintained an…
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How to Optimize Your Website for ChatGPT Search Indexing: A Comprehensive Guide

By AI No Comments
As ChatGPT's real-time search functionality becomes more prevalent, mastering how to get your website indexed in this system is crucial for maintaining and boosting your digital visibility. How ChatGPT Search Works ChatGPT Search is powered by a combination of Bing’s search index and OpenAI’s proprietary technology. While Bing’s index contributes significantly, OpenAI enhances this with its own sophisticated crawlers and unique content attribution methods. Understanding the Technology OpenAI’s indexing process…
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Understanding 301 vs. 302 Redirects: A Quick Guide for Optimal SEO

By SEO No Comments
Redirects are essential tools for managing changes on your website while maintaining a smooth user experience and optimizing SEO performance. The two most common types are 301 (permanent) and 302 (temporary) redirects. Knowing when to use each one can make a big difference in your site’s rankings and overall search visibility. Here’s what you need to know to choose the right redirect every time. The Basics: HTTP Status Codes and…
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Transforming Schema Markup into a Knowledge Graph to Boost Web Visibility

By SEO No Comments
Harnessing the Power of Schema Markup Beyond Rich Results Many know Schema Markup for its role in enhancing web pages to achieve rich results, like special search engine displays with images, ratings, or other detailed snippets. But Schema Markup can do more than just increase search visibility. By creating a content knowledge graph, you can give your website a framework that improves how search engines understand your content, which in…
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6 SEO Practices That No Longer Work And What To Do Instead

By SEO No Comments
Keeping up with search engine optimization (SEO) can be challenging. As search engines evolve, some SEO tactics that once improved rankings are now obsolete and can actually harm your site's performance. Here’s a breakdown of six outdated SEO practices and recommendations on what to do instead. 1. Relying on Expired Domains Why It’s Outdated: Buying expired domains used to be a popular SEO trick, as some believed it could boost…
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