- Tensions between WP Engine and Mullenweg arouse user curiosity
- Users around the world show increasing interest in website building alternatives
- The ongoing conflict highlights the risks of relying solely on WordPress
Global search interest in alternatives to WordPress has increased dramatically as the conflict between WP Engine and Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic, intensifies.
Google Trends data noted that search requests around the Website builder increased in October 2024, especially on October 8, where it reached a maximum score of 100.
The increase in interest indicates a change in user behavior, indicating an active search for options that more closely align with user expectations for performance, control, and transparency.
Possible triggering events behind the increase
Prior to October 8, Google Trends data shows that search interest for WordPress alternatives was essentially dormant, with no searches recorded from October 4 to 7.
Observers attribute this increase to growing legal and public disputes between WP Engine and Mullenweg, who accused WP Engine of trademark infringement and compromising the open source spirit of WordPress.
The controversy centers on WP Engine's handling of WordPress features, including limiting post revision history and its allegedly confusing use of the “WP” branding, which Mullenweg says misleads users by making them believe that WP Engine is directly affiliated with WordPress.
Tension reached new heights when Mullenweg called WP Engine a “cancer for WordPress.” Both WP Engine and Automattic have since exchanged cease and desist letters, and WP Engine disputes Automattic's claims, stating that its use of WordPress trademarks is considered fair use.
This back and forth intensified when Mullenweg blocked WP Engine's access to WordPress.org resources, including plugin and theme updates, which severely affected websites hosted on WP Engine, leaving some vulnerable to security risks. . While this ban was briefly lifted, the damage to WP Engine's reputation and the WordPress community at large was significant, leaving developers and users frustrated.
“…Matt Mullenweg's conduct over the past ten days has exposed significant conflicts of interest and governance issues that, if left unchecked, threaten to destroy that trust. “WP Engine has no choice but to make these claims to protect its people, agency partners, clients, and the WordPress community at large.”
However, more recently, a US district court ordered Automattic to stop blocking WP Engine's access to WordPress servers.
Data from October 4 to November 4, 2024 highlights a notable shift in user behavior globally, with countries such as the United States, Canada, Germany, India, Nigeria, Pakistan and Brazil showing increased interest in exploring alternatives to WordPress.
After the peak on October 8, search interest in alternatives to WordPress continued, although with less intensity. Between October 21 and October 30, scores ranged from 20 to 36, indicating a continued but less urgent curiosity among users for alternative CMS options.