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Someone said they were leaving WordPress for AI. Others said there's a WordPress bubble. Now I'm jumping in with comments. Enjoy! 

00:00 Introduction and Context

00:54 Debating WordPress's Versatility

02:50 WordPress in the Agency World

05:43 AI and WordPress: A Complex Relationship

10:30 The Essence of Open Source

13:50 Continuity and Client Assurance

19:17 AI's Limitations and Future

21:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Matt discusses the concept of WordPress longevity, touching on his personal journey, the friendships he's made, and how he navigates imposter syndrome within the community. He reflects on the importance of creating sustainable content and the evolution of his projects, all while contemplating the future of WordPress and its community. 

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Read the full post here: https://thewpminute.com/state-of-the-word-2025-its-a-vibe/

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Join me as I reflect on 18 years of dedication to WordPress Media, the WP Minute's professional journey, and the challenges faced from industry practices like purchased YouTube views. Learn about our omnichannel approach, spotlighting successes with team members like Eric and Toby, and the importance of genuine content creation. Discover how we've built a thriving community and the value of true engagement in the WordPress space.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Background
01:03 Challenges in WordPress Media
03:52 Building the WP Minute
04:59 Achievements and Team Growth
08:11 Professionalism and Sponsorship
12:47 Community Engagement and Final Thoughts

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We are talking about finding meaning in AI. Also I launched a plugin called PodLoom to connect your Transistor.fm account up to WordPress.

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In this episode, we dive into the evolving WordPress landscape, particularly for business owners—whether you're running an agency, freelancing, or part of a SaaS venture. Explore the shift from a tightly-knit, open community to a more business-focused, competitive environment.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflection
00:31 The Changing Dynamics of the WordPress Community
01:56 Business Focus in the WordPress Space
03:35 Economic and Legal Influences
04:27 Technological Shifts and AI Impact
05:22 Sustaining Long-Term Success
05:55 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

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We’ve launched our first course at The WP Minute WordPress Hosting Decoded. It’s a free, professional guide that helps freelancers and agency owners make smarter decisions about the hosting platforms they choose for their client projects.

This course has been years in the making. It’s built for anyone who works with WordPress, from newcomers trying to understand hosting basics to agency teams that want to level up their technical awareness and client communication. The goal is to help you avoid common pitfalls, make better strategic choices, and deliver more reliable sites for your clients.

Alongside the course, we’ve included a WordPress Hosting Calculator to help you evaluate client requirements and choose the right hosting tier. It’s not about promoting specific providers. It’s about empowering better decisions that improve your clients’ long-term experience with WordPress.

Key Takeaways

• WordPress Hosting Decoded is a free professional course for freelancers and agencies.
• Includes a hosting calculator to match client needs with hosting types.
• Perfect for onboarding or training project managers, sales staff, or new team members.
• Focused on education and strategy, not product promotion.

Important Links

• WordPress Hosting Decoded Course
• Agency Action Podcast
• Vote for The WP Minute at the WP Weekly Awards

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In this conversation, Matt Medeiros discusses the dual nature of AI, expressing both excitement and skepticism. He highlights the consolidation of power in the AI industry, questioning the sustainability of current business models and the potential for an over-hyped bubble. He reflects on the implications of AI in content creation and the challenges of relying on AI-generated outputs. Ultimately, he emphasizes the need for a more thoughtful approach to AI's integration into business and society.

https://www.youtube.com/@wpminutepodcasts/
https://blog.samaltman.com/sora-update-number-1

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In this conversation, Matt discusses the evolving landscape of marketing roles, particularly the distinction between specialists and generalists. He expresses concerns about job postings that require a wide range of skills, suggesting that such roles may dilute the concept of specialization. He emphasizes the importance of brand representation and the challenges brands face in hiring individuals who can authentically convey their message.

Additionally, he highlights the necessity of a human touch in content creation, especially in an age dominated by AI-generated content.

Takeaways

• Marketing roles are increasingly labeled as specialists but often require generalist skills.
• A true specialist should focus on a specific area rather than a broad range of tasks.
• Brands need to hire individuals who can authentically represent their values and culture.
• The role of a marketer is complex and requires critical thinking and experience.
• 'Founder marketing' is essential for understanding the brand's mission and audience.
• Content creators must balance entertainment, education, and information in their work.
• The rise of AI content necessitates a more human approach to marketing.
• Trust in content is difficult to measure but crucial for brand success.
• Marketers should be given the freedom to express their creativity and individuality.
• Creating unique and original content is a significant challenge in today's market.

Chapters

00:00 The Rise of Marketing Specialists
06:00 The Challenge of Brand Representation
10:22 The Human Element in Content Creation

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Our Matt breaks down Matt Mullenweg’s keynote at WordCamp US 2025! Get the highlights and honest reactions to the most important moments, including:

• The evolving role of the WordPress community and the “four freedoms” at the heart of open source.
• Addressing the “elephant in the room” and the impact of recent legal and industry challenges.
• WordPress’s push to be more present on YouTube and across platforms, and why authentic community engagement matters.
• The future of AI in WordPress, including hands-on impressions of new tools like Telex and thoughts on browser-based AI.
• Predictions for the next 10 years of WordPress and Automattic, and what it means for users, professionals, and the open web.

Whether you missed the keynote or want a thoughtful recap, this episode covers the key takeaways and what they mean for the future of WordPress. Subscribe to The WP Minute for more insights, news, and community updates!

Matt's video on Telex AI by Automattic https://youtu.be/t5dRm70FnSg
Mullenweg's Keynote WCUS https://youtu.be/45HRzzc0waU?si=DIhxDiqwGNzAPWTL

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Register for Monday August 18th at 1PM EST

The Dog Daze of Agency Summer is a live, interactive webinar for WordPress agency owners looking to beat the late-summer slump. 

Matt Medeiros, Kurt von Ahnen, and Toby Cryns will share strategies to keep momentum high when client decisions slow down, contracts stall, and teams drift into vacation mode. We’ll explore how to use this seasonal downtime to prepare for a strong fall season. From internal planning to energizing your team and sharpening your sales pipeline.

Key Takeaways

+ Turn downtime into prep time – Use the summer lull to refine processes, update proposals, and revisit client strategies.

+ Reignite team motivation – Tactics to keep staff engaged and productive before the busy fall rush.

+ Jumpstart stalled sales – How to nurture leads and tee up contracts so they’re ready to sign after Labor Day.

+ Plan for Q4 success – Align your marketing, sales, and project delivery for a strong close to the year.

+ Engage with peers – Live Q&A and open dialogue with other agency owners facing the same seasonal challenges.

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In this conversation, Matt Medeiros discusses the evolution of consulting in the WordPress space, emphasizing the importance of shifting from a 'for you' mentality to a 'with you' mentality in partnerships and collaborations. He highlights the need for deeper connections and understanding between consultants and clients, especially in the context of content creation and sponsorships. The discussion also touches on the impact of AI on business relationships and the increasing desire for personal interaction in a digital world.

Takeaways

• We need to shift our mindset as consultants.
• It's important to work with clients, not just for them.
• Understanding the audience is crucial for content creation.
• Partnerships should be collaborative, not transactional.
• Brands should engage in real conversations, not just promotional speak.
• The product should cater to a specific customer avatar.
• People will seek deeper connections in business.
• AI may replace menial tasks, but personal interaction remains valuable.
• Consultants should focus on providing real value to clients.
• The future of business may require more hands-on approaches.

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In this episode, Matt discusses the concept of a 'WordPress Echo Chamber' prompted by a recent video from Imran Siddiq of Web Squadron and a blog response from Remkus de Vries. 

The discussion covers the dynamics of WordPress content creation, the challenges faced by creators, and the perceived gatekeeping within the community. With over 17 years of experience in WordPress content creation, Matt shares unfiltered thoughts on the subject, highlighting the struggle to garner attention and the importance of focused content lanes. The episode also touches on the evolution of the WP Minute, the role of AI in content creation, and the significance of supporting diverse voices within the community.

00:00 Introduction and Context
00:42 WordPress Content Creation: Personal Insights
01:32 AI News and Updates
01:49 Unfiltered Feedback on WordPress Business
03:03 Challenges and Reflections on Content Creation
05:13 Navigating the WordPress Community
09:35 Supporting and Amplifying Other Creators
14:40 The Role of Open Source and Community
22:31 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Imran's YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xtW4R8-nrc
Remkus' blog post: https://remkusdevries.com/the-fine-line-between-editorial-focus-and-echo-chambers-in-wordpress/
Join the WP Minute https://thewpminute.com/support

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In this episode, I take a step back and reflect on what it means to support WordPress professionals in today’s fast-evolving landscape. We've seen the definition of a “WordPress professional” shift significantly since the Gutenberg days. Technology has moved forward, and many of us are finding our roles stretched across WordPress, AI, and other no-code and low-code platforms. The WP Minute is also shifting with that momentum—becoming a broader support network for freelancers, agencies, and builders trying to find their next step.

This episode unpacks one recurring pain point I’ve been hearing from folks in the trenches: paid discovery. Is it still a viable strategy? Has it gotten harder to pitch? Or are AI-savvy clients now walking in with their own ChatGPT-generated briefs? I share a bit about how I handled discovery back in my agency days and pose a few questions to you, the listener, about whether that model still works.

Plus, I highlight the important voices at the WP Minute—like Kurt, Toby, and Eric—who are publishing honest, from-the-ground insights that agency owners need more than ever. If you're building, billing, and battling with what it means to be a service provider in 2025, this one’s for you.

Key Takeaways

• “WordPress professional” now means more than just knowing how to build a site—it’s about adapting to new tech, especially AI.
• Paid discovery still confuses or frustrates clients—but it's a critical step that many agencies skip or undervalue.
• Your expertise is worth paying for, especially when it uncovers issues clients didn’t know they had.
• AI tools are beginning to change how clients approach scope, strategy, and expectations. How are you responding?
• The WP Minute is doubling down on serving the freelancers and agencies still out here doing the work—through podcasts, articles, and real-world representation.

Great Quotes

• “You're not just pushing pixels—you’re solving problems the IT guy forgot existed.”
• “Discovery isn’t a cost, it’s a plan.”
• “If you're building a house, wouldn't you want a blueprint first?”
• “Clients now show up with AI-generated outlines. So how do you insert your expertise into that?”
• “I want to help WordPress professionals and agency owners again—but not from the trenches, from the tower with a megaphone.”

Links & Resources

• The WP Minute Plus Podcast
• Subscribe to the WP Minute Newsletter
• Follow Eric Karkovack’s short-form WP Minute episodes

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In this conversation, Matt discusses the evolving landscape of content creation, particularly in the context of AI's growing influence. He emphasizes the importance of personal branding and building trust over time, while exploring how AI can both compete with and complement human content creators. The discussion delves into the quality of AI-generated content, the necessity for human interaction, and strategies for freelancers and agency owners to navigate the challenges posed by AI in the content space.

Takeaways

• Competing on content requires a long-term strategy.
• Personal branding is about building trust over time.
• AI is evolving and will impact content creation.
• Human interaction remains crucial in content engagement.
• Evaluating the quality of AI-generated content is essential.
• AI can assist but shouldn't replace human creativity.
• Freelancers must adapt to the changing content landscape.
• Understanding AI's limitations is key to leveraging it effectively.
• Positioning oneself uniquely in the market is vital.
• Continuous learning and adaptation are necessary for success.

Important Links

• https://pulsewp.cc
• https://thewpminute.com/support
• Cloning my Content Business

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In this solo episode of the Matt Report, I explore a concept that’s as exciting as it is frustrating: innovation. I reflect on my experience with Podcasting 2.0—a grassroots, open source movement that parallels WordPress.org in spirit—and how it's slowly reshaping podcast RSS feeds with new, standardized tags. While the tech is minimal, the impact is massive. Apple's and Spotify’s recent adoption of the <podcast:transcript> tag is proof that slow, open source innovation can lead to real change—eventually.

That momentum brings me to a pressing question for the WordPress community: where is our innovation happening? I draw connections to the new FAIR initiative, a federated alternative to the WordPress.org plugin and theme repository. It’s promising, technically. But like all open source efforts, adoption is the hard part. FAIR could bring resilience and distribution freedom to WordPress, but the larger question looms: will it even matter in a world where AI generates code on demand?

I push back on the current pace of WordPress innovation, especially in light of AI's rapid evolution. If plain-English prompts soon build complete websites, what role will plugins and themes play? And how does a system like WordPress, which still relies on zip packages and install screens, keep up with a future where everything is delivered by prompt?

🔑 Key Takeaways

• “Innovation in open source is painfully slow—but when it clicks, it changes everything.”
• “FAIR is technically exciting, but adoption will determine its real impact.”
• “If the future of websites is built via prompts, how long do themes and plugins matter?”
• “We need a clear vision from Automattic and the broader WordPress leadership on where we go from here—especially in an AI-driven world.”
• “WordPress still has that 'old tech' stigma. Will we shed it before it's too late?”

🔗 Important Links

• Podcasting 2.0
• FAIR Project (via Linux Foundation)
• Matt Report

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In this off-the-cuff response episode, I react to a pointed comment left on a recent YouTube live stream I hosted with Mark Z. Mansky. The topic? AI and its role in the WordPress ecosystem—something I think about a lot both at Gravity Forms and through the work I do with The WP Minute. The commenter, frustrated by AI's use of "stolen" code and content, challenged the moral and ethical implications of using AI in development and creative work. So, I took a beat to respond—not as a definitive authority, but as someone also trying to navigate this shifting landscape.

This episode is less polished, more personal. I dive into the contradictions and moral gray areas we’re all grappling with as AI tools become more accessible and influential. I share my cautiously optimistic view of where this tech is heading, and why I think adoption will remain uneven due to competition, complexity, and user habits. I also challenge the notion that AI is the first to commoditize creativity—Google did it long ago with SEO and structured data.

It’s not about blindly defending AI. I’m right there with you asking, “Is this sustainable?” and “Where does this leave original creators?” But I also can’t ignore the reality: this isn’t new. Developers (and creators) have always borrowed, repurposed, and remixed—AI just happens to be doing it at warp speed. This conversation is a reminder that these tools didn’t invent the game—they're just playing it faster.

Key Takeaways

• “I’m not saying AI will take over everything, but it’s not going away either.”
• “Google gamified the entire internet before AI ever did. SEO was the original MMORGP.”
• “Copy-paste culture in coding isn’t new. AI just made it instant.”
• “In open source, sharing and remixing code is the whole point—so where do we draw the line?”
• “We need to explore this tech critically, not evangelize it blindly.”

URLs Mentioned

• https://www.youtube.com/live/fIYMsn3DcPI

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In this episode, I'm addressing the ongoing discussion about AI's impact on jobs, businesses, and particularly, those of us deeply involved in web and content creation. It's easy to get swept up in the fear that AI will soon replace all of our roles—whether you're building websites, editing videos, or crafting copy. But I think it's crucial not to leap to extremes. AI isn't something that's going away quietly, but nor will it completely eliminate the human factor, at least not in the immediate future.

The heart of my advice revolves around human connection. Rather than panicking about pivoting your entire business, double down on understanding and engaging with your customers. The value in maintaining strong, meaningful interactions will likely become even more critical. I foresee a shift from focusing solely on deliverables—like websites, content, or features—to prioritizing deeper relationships and tailored experiences. Your expertise, insights, and ability to genuinely connect might become your most valuable assets.

While it's important to stay informed about AI and how it's evolving—be it through APIs, LLMs, or new middleware like MCPs—it's equally vital to maintain perspective. We're in a dynamic and uncertain phase, and no one can predict exactly how things will unfold. So, rather than reacting impulsively, invest time in building deeper client relationships and adapting thoughtfully to the changes.

Great Takeaways:

• "The value of human interaction will likely become your key competitive edge."
• "Instead of panicking, talk to your customers regularly and understand their changing needs."
• "AI won't replace meaningful relationships—it might even make them more valuable."
• "Don't pivot blindly; enhance your current strengths and deepen your customer engagements."

Important URLs Mentioned:

• Learn how to vibe code WordPress plugins the right way

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In this solo episode, I ask a critical question for WordPress agency owners and freelancers: where do you stand with AI? Are you ignoring it, dabbling with it, or going all in and restructuring your agency around it? It’s time to figure out what kind of role this technology plays in your day-to-day work and how it might shape your future.

I compare today’s AI shift to the 2008 financial crisis that helped fuel the rise of WordPress agencies. Back then, budget-conscious clients and evolving CMS features gave WordPress a clear advantage. Today, the same kind of shift is happening with AI, but the pace is faster and the stakes are higher. The good news is that clients are still learning and need guidance, which opens the door for agencies to lead with clarity and experience.

At the WP Minute, we’re ramping up our focus on agency content. Whether you’re hearing clients ask about AI, seeing DIY sites that need fixing, or rethinking how you price your services, I want to hear from you. Let’s get the conversation going and share how real agencies are navigating this transition.

Takeaways and Quotes:

• “Where do you land on the spectrum: zero, one, or two? Zero being ignoring AI, two being fully transformed by it.”
• “We’re at another pivotal moment like the WordPress 3.0 days, only now it’s about how AI reshapes how we work.”
• “Clients are still learning how to take photos on iPhones. You think they’re ready to fully trust AI for business workflows?”
• “There’s a huge trust gap with AI. That’s where agencies can step in and lead.”

Important URLs:

• The WP Minute – Subscribe for agency-focused podcast content
• @mattreport on Twitter – Respond to the episode with your AI stance (zero, one, or two)
• Agency Series with Toby & Kurt – A behind-the-scenes look at running a WordPress agency

Let’s make this a conversation. Agencies aren’t over, they’re evolving. Where do you fit in?

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In this episode, I’m laying out the foundation for a new initiative I’m calling The Thriving Project. It’s a simple, community-driven effort to refocus the conversation around why WordPress matters—especially in this era of AI hype and increasing web complexity. This isn't a top-down campaign. There’s no committee. It’s just us, the WordPress community, creating and sharing authentic content that answers a powerful question: Why WordPress?

Whether you’re a developer, marketer, agency owner, or solo creator, I’m encouraging you to take a moment over the next 90 days to write a blog post, record a podcast, make a LinkedIn carousel, or shoot a video sharing your personal story or professional use case. Why do you use WordPress? How has it powered your career? What makes it relevant, especially now? This content isn’t just for vanity metrics—it’s a way to reconnect with the essence of WordPress as open publishing infrastructure, a business enabler, and a creative toolbox.

The episode also touches on my experience with past marketing efforts inside the WordPress ecosystem—like the now-defunct Media Corps and the challenges of volunteer-led marketing teams. But rather than wait for centralized solutions, The Thriving Project is about creating decentralized momentum. It’s about amplifying voices, celebrating wins, and fostering pride in our platform without the red tape.

Great Takeaways & Quotes:

• “We all know WordPress has a marketing problem… but we don’t have to wait for an official fix.”
• “This isn’t just about WordPress thriving—it’s about you and your brand thriving by sharing your ‘why.’”
• “WordPress is a bridge to open publishing. It’s portable, empowering, and still one of the smartest decisions for your business.”

Important URLs Mentioned:

• mattreport.com
• thewpminute.com
• LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and other platforms where the #WhyWordPress hashtag may emerge

Let me know if you're on board or planning to contribute—I’d love to help amplify your story.