WordPress in 2025: Examining the Shift to a Single Major Update
July 17, 2025 | By Alex White
As one of the most influential platforms powering the web, WordPress is entering 2025 with a bold and unexpected move only one major core update is planned for the entire year. This shift has sparked discussion across the WordPress community, raising concerns about development priorities, leadership decisions, and the future direction of the platform.
In this blog post, we’ll break down the details of this change, examine the motivations behind it, and explore how it could affect developers, users, and the broader ecosystem.
WordPress 6.8: The Only Major Release of 2025
For the first time in years, WordPress will deliver just one major update, version 6.8, throughout all of 2025. Any additional updates will be minor point releases aimed solely at bug fixes or small improvements.
This reduced release schedule marks a significant departure from WordPress’s typical cadence of multiple major releases per year and it’s causing ripples throughout the development and user community.
Why the Scale Back?
The decision to scale back stems primarily from Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic. According to the speaker in the original video, Mullenweg referenced several factors influencing this decision, including ongoing issues involving WP Engine, a major player in the WordPress hosting space.
This situation was criticized in the video as being a “cop-out” a negative reflection on WordPress leadership that could impact user trust and ecosystem growth.
What This Means for Developers & Users
Minimal Impact for Some
Users who primarily rely on external tools outside of Gutenberg, such as Bricks, GreenShift, or Breakdance, may not feel an immediate disruption. For these users, development may proceed as normal.
Growing Frustration & Uncertainty
However, there’s growing concern that companies and contributors deeply involved in WordPress may become disillusioned with the lack of progress or direction. This could lead them to reassess their commitment to the platform.
A Shift to Alternative Platforms
Newcomers or less committed users may increasingly look to alternatives like:
- Web Studio
- Webflow
- Wix
- Squarespace
- Shopify (especially for e-commerce)
This shift could fragment the market, leading to long-term consequences for WordPress’s dominance.
Business Concerns
Security-focused organizations may become hesitant to continue using WordPress if updates are infrequent. This could directly impact agencies, developers, and freelancers whose client base includes large businesses or enterprise clients.
Concerns About WordPress’s Direction
The speaker presents a critical viewpoint on the current trajectory of WordPress, expressing that:
- The platform is not living up to its potential.
- Too much energy is being funneled into Gutenberg, at the expense of other critical areas of WordPress Core.
- Layoffs and internal restructuring at Automattic have caused experienced core team members to leave, weakening development, support, and community education.
Leadership Under Scrutiny
A central issue raised in the discussion is leadership specifically, how Matt Mullenweg’s style is affecting the platform.
- Referencing a comment from Yoast, the speaker notes that Mullenweg has become a “bottleneck” in the WordPress decision-making process.
- The lack of distributed leadership has led to delays and frustration within the developer community.
- The speaker suggests that Mullenweg’s leadership might be creating long-term harm to WordPress’s growth and innovation.
A Call for Chang
In closing, the speaker encourages the WordPress community to share their thoughts and join the conversation, inviting feedback and commentary from users, developers, and contributors alike.
Whether you’re a long-time WordPress advocate or a newcomer exploring options, the changes in 2025 are a clear signal that WordPress is entering a new and uncertain era.
Original Source:
Watch the full video here ➜ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2hxepBND7Q
