In a nutshell: Automattic simply introduced a plan to run Tumblr on WordPress. The father or mother firm of the 2 platforms desires to consolidate the troubled microblogging platform, transport the 2 companies collectively whereas separating their web “mission” and enterprise alternatives. It is a difficult process.
The corporate based by WordPress co-developer Matt Mullenweg desires to make use of the WordPress backend to handle Tumblr’s blogs. Mullenweg stated the change needs to be invisible to outdoors guests and Tumblr bloggers.
After buying the platform in 2019 for mere pennies, Automattic has been busy making Tumblr extra environment friendly and handy from a enterprise standpoint. Operating Tumblr and WordPress on the identical backend would doubtless enhance the administration of the 2 platforms. The timing is value noting for the reason that firm confronted accusations of exploiting private and non-private weblog information for AI mannequin growth earlier this 12 months.
The unification plan does not imply that Tumblr should change – not less than not on the floor. The corporate acquired the service exactly due to its variations and strengths in comparison with WordPress, to not water it down.
“We love Tumblr’s streamlined posting expertise and its present product path,” the corporate famous. “And this isn’t altering.”
Utilizing the identical technical core permits Automattic to share its growth work throughout each platforms. WordPress has a “rock-solid infrastructure” that may assist Tumblr, whereas WordPress will profit from the instruments constructed for Tumblr. The 2 companies will exploit the collective effort of builders within the open-source WordPress.org venture.
Automattic claims that Tumblr hosts over half a billion blogs, and shifting all that information to WordPress will probably be difficult. It is one of many largest technical migrations in web historical past. Nevertheless, many huge web firms have succeeded in comparable behind-the-scenes conversions. So the transfer, whereas daunting, is doable.
The corporate supplied no particular details about the time required to finish the method. It merely acknowledged that it accepts the problem of turning plenty of microblogs into correct WordPress installations.
“Content material and information needs to be owned by authors and artists as an alternative of getting locked behind the closed platform of a mega-corporation,” the press launch reads.
That is the core mission shared amongst WordPress and different company-owned companies.
Marissa Mayer’s Yahoo purchased Tumblr in 2013 for $1 billion. Automattic finally bought it for $3 million, or simply 30 cents on the greenback. The service was as soon as hailed as a possible powerhouse within the social networking enterprise. It’s now only a shell of its former self, promoting digital items, promoting, and subscriptions.
