- The tensions between WP Engine and Mullenweg stimulate user curiosity
- Users around the world are showing increasing interest in website builder alternatives
- Ongoing conflicts highlight the risks of relying solely on WordPress
Global search interest in WordPress alternatives has increased dramatically as the conflict between WP Engine and Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic, intensifies
Google Trends data shows that searches around the website builder skyrocketed in October 2024, especially on October 8, where it reached a peak score of 100.
The spike in interest signals a shift in user behavior, indicating an active search for options that better match users’ expectations for performance, control and transparency.
Possible triggering events behind the spike
Google Trends data shows that prior to October 8, search interest in WordPress alternatives was essentially dormant, with no recorded searches from October 4 to 7.
Observers attribute this increase to the escalating legal and public disputes between WP Engine and Mullenweg, who accused WP Engine of trademark infringement and endangering WordPress’s open-source ethos.
The claim focuses on WP Engine’s handling of WordPress features, including limiting the revision history of posts and the allegedly confusing use of the “WP” brand name, which Mullenweg claims misleads users into believing that WP Engine directly is connected to WordPress.
The tension reached new heights when Mullenweg called WP Engine a “cancer for WordPress.” Both WP Engine and Automattic have since exchanged cease and desist orders, with WP Engine disputing Automattic’s claims and claiming that the use of WordPress trademarks falls under 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 WP Engine-hosted websites, leaving some vulnerable to security threats. Although this ban was briefly lifted, the damage to the reputation of WP Engine and the broader WordPress community was significant, leaving developers and users frustrated.
WP Engine has also sued Automattic’s CEO for attempted extortion. The company said Ny Breaking:
“…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 pursue these claims to protect its people, agency partners, customers and the broader WordPress community.”
More recently, however, a US court ordered Automattic to stop blocking WP Engine access to WordPress servers.
The data from October 4 to November 4, 2024 highlights a notable shift in user behavior worldwide, with countries such as the United States, Canada, Germany, India, Nigeria, Pakistan and Brazil showing increased interest in exploring WordPress alternatives.
After the October 8 peak, search interest in WordPress alternatives continued, albeit at a lower intensity. Between October 21 and 30, scores ranged from 20 to 36, indicating a steady but less pressing curiosity among users for alternative CMS options.