In a bid to further expand its reach across the fediverse, Automattic, the parent company of WordPress.com, has just unveiled ActivityPub 1.0.0 for WordPress!
This major release empowers WordPress blogs with the ability to connect with readers on decentralized social networks like Mastodon and others within the fediverse. Users can now follow WordPress blogs using apps like Mastodon, and the best part? They can engage with these blogs by leaving comments, which will be seamlessly delivered back to the original WordPress site.
Since the initial acquisition of the ActivityPub plugin, Automattic has been hard at work enhancing the user experience. Notable improvements include the addition of blog-wide catchall accounts, expanding beyond the per-author limitation. They’ve also introduced user-friendly “follow me” and “followers” blocks to help visitors connect and engage with blog creators.
But that’s not all! The latest release comes packed with numerous bug fixes, a comprehensive security audit, and enhanced compatibility with various networks, including the latest version of WordPress, 6.3.
The ActivityPub plugin, initially supporting platforms like Mastodon, Pleroma, Friendica, HubZilla, Pixelfed, SocialHome, and Misskey, has seen remarkable growth since acquisition. Downloads have surged from 35,000 to an impressive 42,831!
And for those wondering, support for WordPress.com blogs is on the horizon, as teased by Automattic’s design engineer, Matt Wiebe.
Automattic’s commitment to the fediverse aligns with CEO Matt Mullenweg’s vision, emphasizing the potential of open-source, decentralized server software. It’s worth noting that Automattic has been exploring various protocols like ActivityPub, Nostr, and Bluesky’s AT Protocol, underlining their dedication to a more connected online ecosystem.
WordPress’s embrace of ActivityPub is part of a broader trend among publishers to integrate with the fediverse. Medium and Flipboard have also taken steps to integrate with Mastodon and ActivityPub, fostering a more decentralized and interconnected online world.
