Introduction
The State of the Word 2025 event, held on December 2, 2025, in San Francisco, showcased the latest advancements in WordPress, including the live release of WordPress 6.9. With only 45 guests in attendance, the intimate gathering provided a unique environment to discuss the platform’s future and its mission to democratize publishing.
A Unique Setting for a Significant Launch
Unlike previous events, this year’s State of the Word was a low-key, invite-only gathering atop the Salesforce Tower. The venue boasted breathtaking views of the San Francisco skyline, including the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. The restricted photography policy ensured that attendees focused entirely on the discussions and presentations, creating a memorable atmosphere filled with engagement.
Embodying the WordPress Mission
Being among such a select group of attendees, including representatives from hosting firms, developers, and foundation board members, was a powerful representation of the WordPress community. Each participant echoed the voices of millions of users worldwide, reinforcing the platform’s commitment to open publishing.
A Celebration of Music and Innovation
The event embraced a jazz-inspired theme, paying homage to WordPress’s tradition of naming releases after renowned jazz musicians. The latest update, WordPress 6.9, carries the codename “Gene,” in honor of legendary drummer Gene Krupa. Attendees enjoyed interactive activities that reinforced the musical connection while receiving themed merchandise, such as tote bags and pins featuring spinning records.
WordPress Market Position: By the Numbers
Matt Mullenweg, WordPress co-founder, kicked off the event with impressive statistics that highlight the platform’s dominance in the web development scene. Currently, WordPress powers 43% of all websites globally, commanding a remarkable 60% market share in the content management system (CMS) arena. For context, Shopify, a close competitor, holds a mere 6.8%. You might also enjoy our guide on what’s Email Hosting? Complete Guide with Checklist.
Global Adoption Rates
Among the top 1,000 websites worldwide, 49.4% now work with WordPress, reflecting a 2.3% increase from the previous year. In Japan, WordPress gained traction, now supporting 58.5% of all local websites, with an 83% CMS market share. Notably, over 56% of WordPress sites now operate in languages other than English, showing the platform’s growing global footprint. (W3Techs)
The Live Launch of WordPress 6.9
The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the live release of WordPress 6.9. As attendees counted down together, the release button was pressed, resulting in over 700,000 sites updating to the new version within hours. This significant milestone demonstrated the community’s trust in WordPress’s processes developed over the last 20 years.
New Features in WordPress 6.9
WordPress 6.9 introduced several innovative features aimed at enhancing collaboration. These include:
- Inline comments for specific blocks within the block editor.
- Email notifications for collaborative efforts.
- Enhanced drag-and-drop capabilities to improve user interaction.
Beyond that, developer-focused improvements were made, including the Abilities API for better integration and the HTML API for safer modifications.
WordPress’s Commitment to AI
One of the event’s standout presentations came from James LePage, who discussed WordPress’s thorough approach to artificial intelligence. Four foundational elements introduced in WordPress 6.9 include:
- Abilities API: A unified registry for capabilities across various platforms, ensuring AI tools can interact with WordPress effectively.
- WP AI Client: An abstraction layer for painless interaction with different AI providers.
- MCP Adapter: Connecting AI assistants with WordPress safely and predictably.
- AI Experiments Plugin: A new tool available on WordPress.org that provides AI features to end-users.
And, the HTML and Interactivity APIs introduce ways for developers to work with HTML more efficiently, ensuring that WordPress remains user-friendly while adapting to modern web needs. For more tips, check out Using AI Chatbots for Enhanced WordPress Support.
Why AI-Generated Websites Aren’t a Threat
As discussions unfolded, many attendees raised concerns about AI-generated website builders like Lovable and Bolt. However, I believe that these tools aren’t an immediate threat to WordPress. They still lack the maturity needed for serious business applications, often requiring a full-stack development team to troubleshoot issues. (WordPress.org)
Technical Limitations of AI Websites
AI-generated platforms often rely heavily on client-side rendering, which can hinder SEO performance. Since search engines struggle to index such sites effectively, businesses relying on organic traffic face significant challenges. WordPress, on the other hand, remains inherently SEO-friendly, ensuring that its sites are easily crawlable and indexable.
Conclusion: The Future of WordPress
As evidenced by the State of the Word 2025 event, WordPress continues to innovate and adapt to the changing space of web development. With a strong commitment to community, collaboration, and technological advancements, WordPress is poised to remain a dominant force in the online ecosystem for years to come.
FAQs
what’s State of the Word?
State of the Word is an annual event where the WordPress community gathers to discuss updates, achievements, and future directions of the platform.
What was released during State of the Word 2025?
The live release of WordPress 6.9, which introduced several new features focused on collaboration and improved functionality.
How has WordPress performed in terms of market share?
WordPress powers 43% of all websites globally and has a 60% CMS market share, showcasing its dominance in the web development scene.
What are the new features of WordPress 6.9?
New features include inline comments, email notifications for collaboration, and enhanced drag-and-drop functionality. (Google Web.dev)
How does WordPress address AI technology?
WordPress has introduced several AI-focused APIs and tools to improve integration with AI services, showcasing its commitment to future technologies.