Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, has announced the acquisition of the ActivityPub plugin for WordPress, developed by German creator Matthias Pfefferle. Pfefferle will join Automattic to continue enhancing support for federated platforms and explore how open protocols like ActivityPub can benefit Automattic’s products.
Connecting WordPress to the Fediverse
The ActivityPub plugin allows WordPress sites to connect with the fediverse, enabling readers on platforms like Pleroma, Friendica, HubZilla, Pixelfed, SocialHome, Misskey, and others to follow WordPress blogs. Posts from WordPress can be automatically sent to these networks, and replies on platforms like Mastodon appear as comments on WordPress posts.
This acquisition aligns with Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg’s vision of greater interoperability for Tumblr and WordPress through the ActivityPub protocol, fostering a more interconnected web.
The Plugin’s Journey
Initially a spare-time project, the ActivityPub plugin grew significantly, gaining popularity after Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter in 2022. From just 700 users in March 2022, it now boasts over 2,000 active installs.
“Thanks to Elon Musk, downloads of my ActivityPub plugin and my followers on Mastodon increased tenfold,” Pfefferle noted. Inspired by this surge in interest, Pfefferle introduced features like an onboarding screen for recommended plugins, outgoing mentions, and improved author profiles.
Keeping the Web Open
Pfefferle emphasized that the acquisition aims to preserve the plugin’s open-source nature and ensure its continued development as a “canonical plugin” rather than merging it into WordPress core.
“I’ve always been driven to build alternatives to the big walled gardens of platforms like Facebook,” Pfefferle said. “This acquisition ensures WordPress’ place in the fediverse, creating a richer and more interconnected web.”
The Future of WordPress in the Fediverse
Automattic’s acquisition of the ActivityPub plugin highlights its commitment to open and federated technologies. As social networks increasingly adopt open protocols, WordPress users will benefit from greater interoperability, bridging the gap between blogging platforms and social media networks.
For more information, visit Automattic and WordPress ActivityPub Plugin.