PublishPress, known for its publishing and permissions plugins for WordPress, has acquired MetaSlider and MetaSlider Lightbox from Extendify. MetaSlider, with over 700,000 active installs, is widely used for creating sliders, slideshows, carousels, and galleries. PublishPress plans to revitalize and expand the plugin, addressing some of the common challenges associated with sliders in modern web design.
A New Vision for MetaSlider
While sliders have fallen out of favor due to SEO concerns, performance issues, and low engagement, PublishPress aims to reimagine MetaSlider as a valuable tool for publishers.
“We plan to tackle these issues head-on by improving the speed of MetaSlider and expanding its dynamic content features,” said Steve Burge, founder of PublishPress. “Our goal is to make it easier for publishers to showcase fresh content without compromising site performance.”
The acquisition also includes MetaSlider Lightbox, which has 10,000 active installs, and a photo gallery feature currently in beta. PublishPress plans to use MetaSlider as a foundation for building a suite of image-focused tools for WordPress publishers.
“Most of my favorite publishers combine beautiful photography with their stories,” Burge said. “We hope to build tools to help publishers better showcase their images.”
The Journey Behind the Acquisition
The acquisition began with a Twitter DM and progressed smoothly due to Extendify’s clean and organized data. MetaSlider, originally created nearly a decade ago, has passed through multiple ownerships, including UpdraftPlus and WP-Optimize, before being maintained as a side project by Extendify.
“Extendify was excited about our plans to invest in MetaSlider and ensure it remains a great plugin for WordPress users,” Burge noted.
What’s Next for MetaSlider Users?
MetaSlider’s Pro version will continue to be sold as a standalone product, supporting the plugin’s future development. PublishPress has confirmed that the business model and pricing will remain unchanged for the foreseeable future.
“The Pro version will continue to support future development, and we’re focused on adding more features to deliver greater value for users,” Burge said.
A Bright Future for WordPress Publishers
This acquisition signals PublishPress’s commitment to empowering WordPress publishers with innovative tools. As the company integrates MetaSlider into its portfolio, users can expect enhanced features and tools tailored to the needs of modern content creators.
For updates, visit PublishPress or MetaSlider.