Is WordPress Really Losing Ground to AI?

It’s fair to wonder how AI is impacting WordPress. Are people switching to AI-based solutions in massive numbers? This week’s episode of The WP Minute+ podcast examines the role AI is (and isn’t) playing in WordPress market share shifts.

Matt chats with Within WordPress’ Remkus de Vries about the pressure WordPress feels from AI, shiny new tools, and bottom-of-market site builders, and why the real story is more complicated than “WordPress is falling behind.” Remkus argues that the ecosystem is changing fast. Still, the shift is less about WordPress failing and more about agencies and builders needing stronger positioning, better specialization, and a clearer understanding of the platform.

They also look at why accurate market data is so hard to pin down in an open web ecosystem, how open-source platforms complicate measurement, and why the future of WordPress may depend less on hype and more on fundamentals, education, and principled implementation.

Takeaways:

• AI is changing expectations, especially for simpler site-building workflows and entry-level users.
• WordPress is still strong because it is more than a CMS; it is a flexible platform for complex, extensible projects.
• Agencies and freelancers need clearer positioning now that “we build websites” is no longer enough.
• Open-web platforms are harder to measure than closed ecosystems, so many market-share claims should be taken cautiously.
• The future of WordPress depends heavily on fundamentals like performance, security, and real-world implementation knowledge.
• The Guild is designed to help builders and agencies keep up with WordPress changes through practical, structured education.
• Principle-first teaching matters because tools change, but underlying concepts stay useful longer.
• Cloudflare and edge caching were highlighted as practical performance improvements worth understanding.

Important Links:

• Within WordPress
• The Guild Wait List
• Connect with Remkus: LinkedIn | Mastodon | Twitter/X
• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe