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Joost de Valk and Marieke van de Rakt Acquire Post Status

On January 22, 2025, WordPress veterans Joost de Valk and Marieke van de Rakt announced their acquisition of Post Status, a prominent media and membership platform for WordPress professionals. The move marks a new chapter for the long-running publication, which will transition into a nonprofit entity focused on supporting the broader WordPress ecosystem.

A Vision for Community-Driven Journalism in WordPress

Joost and Marieke, best known for their leadership at Yoast SEO, have been long-time contributors to the WordPress community. Their acquisition of Post Status includes all existing digital assets: the website, newsletter, podcast, job board, and its thriving membership base.

According to the announcement, the platform will operate as a nonprofit organization, with its future shaped by transparency, open governance, and a focus on sustainable journalism for WordPress professionals. The existing Post Status team, including founder Brian Krogsgard, will continue to be involved during the transition phase to ensure continuity and alignment with community values.

Key aspects of the acquisition include:

  • Conversion of Post Status into a nonprofit entity
  • Retention of the core team and existing membership benefits
  • Commitment to editorial independence and community governance
  • Continued publication of WordPress-focused news, jobs, and podcasts

The Future of Independent WordPress Media

With the WordPress ecosystem growing rapidly and consolidations becoming more common, Joost and Marieke’s approach signals a shift toward independent, mission-driven media. By establishing Post Status as a nonprofit, the new owners aim to safeguard its role as a trusted source of industry insights while creating new ways for members to contribute and participate.

The transition will also open doors for community-led initiatives such as:

  • Crowdsourced reporting and contributor-driven content
  • Partnerships with WordPress organizations and events
  • More inclusive programming for underrepresented voices

A recent article on the role of nonprofit media noted that the model has proven successful in other tech spaces by focusing on long-term impact rather than short-term profit.

For readers unfamiliar with Post Status, it is recognized for its thoughtful journalism, job board, and long-standing community engagement.

Reimagining WordPress News Through Stewardship

The acquisition is not just a business transaction but a stewardship handoff. With their experience scaling one of the most popular plugins in WordPress history, Joost and Marieke bring both strategic vision and grassroots understanding to the role.

Empowering the Post Status community through nonprofit values aims to create a sustainable model that supports contributors, educates professionals, and amplifies independent voices.

To know more about this acquisition and related news, visit WPEdition.

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