Digest 120: WordPress Founder Condemns Unfair Tactics & Submit Your BFCM Deals

This week, we have major announcements balancing the roadmap and critical maintenance: WordPress 6.9 is locked for December, while Jetpack issued a critical security patch and WooCommerce fixed a serious bug that was deleting processed orders. In the community, a founder condemned a competitor’s unethical marketing. Plus, new tools for outreach (Orkap beta) and site functionality (PWA and AI Q&A plugins) debut.

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💡 WordPress Spotlight

• WordPress 6.9 Sets Official Release Date: December 2, 2025
  The final major WordPress release of the year, version 6.9, is officially locked in for December 2, 2025. The development cycle is now in the testing phase after Beta 1 dropped, with the core team focused on squashing bugs and polishing features. The final opportunity for new code before the hard string freeze is November 11th (Release Candidate 1), so expect a lot of progress over the next few weeks before the platform rolls out its year-end update. (Source)
• Looking to Sell Your Plugin? There’s a $500 Finder’s Fee on the Table
  Cristian Raiber is on the hunt for new WordPress plugins to acquire and is putting his money where his mouth is with a $500 finder’s fee. If you know of a good product that fits his criteria and the acquisition goes through, that cash is yours for the introduction. He’s specifically looking for established plugins no AI wrappers, and if the plugin is free only, it needs to have at least 4,000 to 5,000 active installs on WordPress.org. If you’ve got a lead on a solid product that’s ready for a new home, now’s the time to reach out. (Source)
• WordPress.com Releases Roadmap on How to Become a WordPress Developer
  WordPress.com published a detailed “zero-to-hired” roadmap outlining the path to becoming a professional WordPress developer. The guide breaks down the different types of developers, from no-code implementers to core contributors, and the specific tasks they handle, such as frontend, backend, block, and e-commerce development. It also stresses the necessary toolkit and programming languages to master, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and MySQL, alongside essential soft skills and where to find job opportunities once you have a portfolio ready. (Source)
• LearnDash Announces AI Integration with Elementor’s Angie via New Protocol
  LearnDash is preparing to integrate with Elementor’s powerful new AI assistant, Angie, by introducing support for the Model Context Protocol (MCP) server in its upcoming LearnDash 5.0 release. The MCP server acts as an AI bridge, allowing tools like Angie to securely read course structure, execute content changes, and manage users with simple prompts, significantly streamlining course creation and management. While the initial partnership is with Elementor’s Angie, the open MCP support will eventually allow LearnDash users to connect with any compatible AI platform, including private and self-hosted models, giving them choice and control over their AI strategy. (Source)
• Zapier Acquires Utopian Labs to Accelerate AI Automation Roadmap
  Zapier has acquired Utopian Labs, the company founded by Steven Nelemans and Robin Salimans, to strengthen its commitment to AI automation. Utopian Labs was focused on building specialized AI models and agents designed for practical, real-world workflows. With this acquisition, the founders will join Zapier to help accelerate the integration of smarter, more accessible AI capabilities across the Zapier platform. As part of the transition, Utopian Labs will wind down its previous operations in the coming weeks. (Source)
• Easy Digital Downloads Publishes Guide on Creating a Professional Software Licensing System
  Easy Digital Downloads (EDD) released a comprehensive guide detailing how developers can protect their WordPress plugins and themes by setting up a professional software licensing system. The guide emphasizes that licensing is essential for preventing piracy, generating sustainable recurring revenue through renewals, and providing automatic updates and premium support exclusively to paying customers. It provides a step-by-step walkthrough using the EDD Software Licensing extension, covering product setup, activation limits, license length configuration, and managing automated renewals. (Source)
• Ahrefs Study Confirms 97% of Search Clicks Go to the Top 10 Results
  A new data study from Ahrefs confirms just how crucial a first-page ranking is for organic traffic. The analysis of billions of clicks and impressions revealed that an overwhelming majority of search clicks occur within the top 10 results. Specifically, 96.98% of desktop clicks and 97.56% of mobile clicks in Google Search are attributed to the first page. The data makes it clear that pages ranking outside of the top 10 (positions 11 and beyond) receive a negligible percentage of total search traffic. (Source)
• Elegant Themes Introduces ‘Inspector’ Tool for Divi 5
  Elegant Themes unveiled the Inspector tool for Divi 5, a centralized panel inspired by Figma. It allows users to inspect and make bulk edits to element attributes (colors, fonts, etc.) across a page for streamlined design consistency. (Source)
• WP Amelia Teams Up with Seahawk Media to Simplify WordPress Services
  The booking plugin WP Amelia partnered with Seahawk Media (a full-service agency) to simplify website and booking management. The partnership will focus on joint education and improving agency workflows. (Source)
• Mullenweg Urges Community to ‘Vote with Their Wallet’
  Matt Mullenweg advocated that the community should “vote with their wallet” by supporting companies that contribute back to the ecosystem. He suggested that this commercial motivation is key to enforcing the GPL and ethical behavior. (Source)
• Backlinko’s Guide to AI Optimization (AIO)
  Backlinko released a guide on AI Optimization (AIO), noting that traffic from LLMs (ChatGPT, Google AI) is projected to surpass traditional search. The key is to be cited, not just ranked. AIO focuses on creating citable content with unique data, optimizing for natural language prompts, and using clean semantic HTML, as AI doesn’t prioritize traditional website authority. (Source)
• Founder Condemns Location-Based Competition Tactics
  Md Shahjahan Jewel, the founder of AuthLab and FluentCart (which is open-source and registered in the USA), publicly shared a competitor’s page that used his home country, Bangladesh, as a derogatory point in a product comparison, referencing the phrase “Bangladesh-based.” The founder condemned the behavior as “small, childish, and honestly? It feels like racism,” and called on the community to uphold the WordPress ethos of kindness and collaboration over competitive flag-waving. (Source)
• Syed Balkhi on Copycat Complaining
  Syed Balkhi commented on the irony of “copycats complain[ing] about other copycats” in the WordPress space, using a quote from Rudyard Kipling about imitators being left “A year and a half behind.” (Source)

✨ Fresh Features Rollout

1. LearnDash 5.0: Modern API Paves Way for AI & Smarter Integrations
   LearnDash 5.0 is rolling out a modernized REST API to improve performance, enable smarter integrations, and establish the foundation for future AI readiness (including the Model Context Protocol). Users should test on a staging site and update all add-ons prior to launch. (Source)
2. SeedProd Unveils Streamlined User Dashboard
   SeedProd has launched a completely redesigned dashboard focused on improving workflow speed and intuitiveness. The new layout simplifies the user experience by prioritizing core tools in four main panels, reducing clutter, and ensuring quicker access to features like Coming Soon Mode and the Website Builder. (Source)
3. JetSmartFilters 3.7.0 Adds Native Listing Builder
   JetSmartFilters 3.7.0 introduces its own Listing Builder, removing the previous dependency on JetEngine for creating filterable content loops in the Block Editor or Elementor. This new feature allows users to build and style dynamic grids directly within JetSmartFilters, leading to faster performance, reduced memory usage, and a simpler, more native workflow for blog archives, product catalogs, and directory listings. (Source)
4. GenerateBlocks 2.1.2 Focuses on API Security
   GenerateBlocks 2.1.2 was released with a key security update that restricts REST API endpoint access for certain user roles, specifically contributors and editors, to prevent unauthorized option changes and enhance overall site security. (Source)
5. SureForms Now Includes 17+ Native Integrations
   SureForms’ latest update introduces 17+ native integrations directly into the plugin, allowing users to automate workflows without relying on third-party tools. Form entries can now flow instantly to popular platforms like Mailchimp, FluentCRM, Airtable, Telegram, and various CRMs and project tools, streamlining lead capture and team notifications. (Source)
6. Kadence Blocks: New Settings & Captcha Fixes; Pro Improves Advanced Filters
   Kadence Blocks v3.5.25 adds a setting to control the default headers admin tab and fixes the Turnstile Captcha order prevention issue and Row Layout mobile collapse. The Pro v2.8.4 update adds Product Carousel text alignment, improves Count Up/Down block support, and fixes advanced filter issues for WooCommerce decimal pricing. (Source)
7. Rank Math v3.0.99: Multisite & Analytics Fixes
   It’s delivers key fixes, including enabling PRO plugin updates on non-network-activated multisites and adding a 2-hour automatic update check. It also resolves data discrepancies on the Rank Tracker page, restores the “Delete all keywords” button, and fixes incorrect data showing on the Site Analytics page for multisite installations. (Source)
8. Dynamic.ooo v3.3.17: Elementor Form & Deprecation Notices
   Dynamic.ooo fixes several Elementor Pro Form issues, including Signature and Regex validation problems. It also resolves a fatal error with ACF Repeater link fields. Key notices: the “Enhanced Multi-Step” feature will be permanently removed by late December 2025, and a workaround is needed to restore downloads for the FileBrowser widget if “Set Private Access” was active. (Source)
9. FlyWP v2025.24: One-Click Apps & Smarter Databases
   FlyWP release introduces major new features: One-Click App Support for instant deployment of tools like Nextcloud and phpMyAdmin, and Site-Linked Databases that automatically connect databases to their corresponding sites for easier management. Improvements include more reliable backup restores and enhanced security for clones and transfers, making the platform faster and more stable. (Source)
10. Jetpack 13.9.1: Critical Security Update
    It is a critical security update addressing a vulnerability in the Contact Form feature present since version 3.9.9 (2016). This flaw could allow any logged-in user to read forms submitted by site visitors. Jetpack has patched 101 different versions to ensure most sites are automatically updated to a secured version immediately. Users are urged to update as soon as possible, though there is no evidence the vulnerability has been exploited. (Source)
11. WooCommerce 10.3.1 – 10.3.3: Critical Data & Payment Fixes
    WooCommerce patch releases v10.3.1 and v10.3.3 fix a critical race condition that caused processed orders to be deleted during cart cleanup. They also resolve PayPal payment failures by including order fees in the payment breakdown and add deprecation warnings with backwards compatibility for third-party extensions. (Source)

🆕 Fresh Releases

• Orkap: Pixar Labs Launches Ultimate Link-Building & Outreach Management Solution
  Liton Arefin, CEO of Pixar Labs, announced the beta launch of Orkap, an outreach management and link-building solution aimed at freelancers, agencies, and business owners. Orkap is designed to eliminate the need for managing multiple Google Sheets by providing a centralized dashboard to automate follow-ups, boost email deliverability, segment outreach, and offer powerful data analytics. The platform features team management, custom mailbox connections, and webhook support for integrations. They are currently seeking beta testers to gain early access, provide feedback, and earn special perks/discounts. (Source)
• Kids Toys Store (Full Site Editing)
  The new Kids Toys Store theme is an FSE block theme for online toy and baby shops. It features a vibrant, responsive design with five style variations, is fully WooCommerce compatible, and includes integrated features like product filters and SEO optimization.(Source)
• New PWA Plugin Adds Home Screen Install & Push Notifications
  Progressify is a new plugin bringing Progressive Web App (PWA) features like home screen installation, push notifications, and offline usage to websites. It also adds advanced UI components like dark mode and smooth page transitions without needing code. (Source)
• Ask My Content – AI Q&A Chatbot
  Ask My Content is an AI chatbot that provides context-aware answers by indexing your site’s content (posts/pages). It uses RAG and OpenAI (via a secure backend) to deliver direct, content-specific answers and supports WP-CLI for automated scripting. (Source)
• TurboJot: AI-Powered Form Submission & Outreach
  TurboJot is a new, intelligent, and fully managed service for automated outreach via contact forms. It uses AI to fill and submit forms with human-like precision and personalization, claiming a 98% success rate. The service targets audiences by industry, geography, and persona to consistently achieve high response rates compared to traditional cold email. (Source)
• RepublishAI: SEO Traffic on Autopilot
  RepublishAI is a new WordPress SEO plugin that uses AI agents to automate the entire content workflow. Its “Autopilot” system handles keyword research, writes fully optimized articles (3,500+ words), generates images, builds internal links (Nexus Agent), and publishes the content directly to WordPress on a schedule, aiming to grow organic traffic without human input. (Source)

🗓️ Mark Your Calendar 

If you’re looking for opportunities to network and learn, check out these upcoming WordPress events and meetups:

• WordCamp San Jose (October 31, 2025)
• WordCamp Kansai (November 1-2, 2025)
• WordCamp Taiwan (November 7-8, 2025)
• WordCamp Bharatpur (November 7-8, 2025)
• WordCamp Athens (November 8, 2025)
• WordCamp Brasil (November 28-29, 2025)
• WordCamp Malaysia (December 6-7, 2025)
• WordCamp Nepal (Butwal, January 23-24, 2026)
• WordCamp Asia (Mumbai, April 9 – 11, 2026)
• WordCamp Europe (Poland, June 4-6, 2026)
• WordCamp US (Phoenix, 2026)

That’s a wrap for this week’s WPDigest! Stay tuned for more exciting WordPress updates next week.

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