WordPress, Web Design, SEO, Technology, And Development News
Google is rolling out some big changes to its search engine—especially around AI-powered shopping results—which could shift what you see first when you search online. If you’re an online shopper or business owner, these updates might change how easily you reach your favorite products or new customers. Ads and AI: The Big Changes Google has been ramping up the presence of ads and shopping features in its AI-powered search results,…
Understanding how and when to use the “nofollow” attribute is essential for anyone managing a website, especially if you’re aiming to maintain a strong SEO foundation. Let’s break down what “nofollow” means, when to use it, and how it fits into the larger SEO ecosystem. What Is the Nofollow Attribute? Introduced in 2005 to combat spam in blog comments, the “nofollow” attribute allows website owners to tell search engines, “Don’t…
The longstanding friction between WP Engine and Automattic, the company behind WordPress.org, has reached new heights. In recent weeks, users logging into WordPress.org have encountered unexpected changes in the login process: a new, mandatory checkbox and a brief mention of WP Engine’s ongoing legal dispute. Here’s the story behind these updates and the community’s response. What Sparked the Conflict? The roots of the tension between WP Engine, a prominent WordPress…
Exciting changes are on the horizon for WooCommerce as the eCommerce platform prepares to unveil a new logo in early 2025. The redesign aims to reflect WooCommerce’s evolving brand identity, aligning with its fresh product vision and setting the stage for continued growth in the world of online commerce. According to Chief Marketing Officer Tamara Niesen, this new look for WooCommerce isn’t just about aesthetics. “We saw an opportunity to…
Date Filed: October 18, 2024 Hearing Scheduled: November 26, 2024, Northern California court WP Engine, a prominent website hosting platform, has officially filed a preliminary injunction seeking to regain access to WordPress.org, citing what it claims to be retaliatory actions by WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg and his company, Automattic. The hosting company alleges that it has been denied access to key resources, affecting its ability to serve customers and maintain…
In exciting news for the WordPress community, the Kim Parsell Memorial Scholarship has been extended to cover not only WordCamp US, but now also WordCamp Europe and WordCamp Asia. This expansion, announced at the 2024 WordPress Foundation Meeting, aims to help women who are active contributors to WordPress but face financial barriers in attending these flagship events. Honoring Kim Parsell’s Legacy The scholarship pays tribute to Kim Parsell, affectionately known…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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….
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
The legal feud between WP Engine and Automattic, WordPress’s parent company, has taken a new turn. In a recent motion to dismiss WP Engine’s lawsuit, Matt Mullenweg and Automattic present a detailed counterargument, emphasizing that WP Engine, not Automattic, may be causing harm within the WordPress ecosystem. Here’s a closer look at what’s at stake in this high-profile tech dispute. Background of the Case At the core of the dispute,…
OpenAI has rolled out real-time web search capabilities for ChatGPT, bringing fresh and accurate information directly to users. This feature allows ChatGPT to pull current data, including news, sports scores, stock updates, and weather, accompanied by source links for transparency and verification. Currently, the feature is available to Plus and Team users, with plans to extend access to all users in the near future. Key Feature Highlights The new search…
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