Digest 127: WP 7.0 Plans Revealed + New 2026 Predictions Are In! 📈

2026 is officially in high gear. This week, we’re looking at a new three-release cadence for WordPress Core, the massive Amelia 2.0 redesign, and the opening of WordCamp Europe ticket sales. From the return of the #WPGivesAHand charity movement to Automattic’s updated AI roadmap, here is everything you need to stay ahead in the ecosystem.

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💡 WordPress Spotlight

• WordPress Proposes Three-Release Cadence for 2026
  A new proposal outlines a return to a standard three-release annual cycle for 2026, targeting major updates in April (7.0), August (7.1), and December (7.2). This four-month rhythm aligns each release with flagship events like WordCamp Asia and State of the Word, balancing feature development with a consistent, quality-focused shipping cadence. (Source)
• WordPress Test Team to Launch New Training Structure in 2026
  The WordPress Test team is restructuring its contributor training program for 2026, transitioning from seasonal cohorts to an “always-on,” self-paced learning model. The new structure introduces clear, tiered paths ranging from beginner to advanced to lower the entry barrier for new contributors and ensure that testing resources are always accessible and up-to-date. (Source)
• Matt Mullenweg Highlights Cloudflare’s CMS Market Share Data
  Matt Mullenweg shared insights from Cloudflare’s “CMS Radar” data, which tracks market share based on actual web traffic rather than just domain counts. The data reinforces WordPress’s dominance, showing it powers significantly more of the top-tier, high-traffic web than competitors like Wix or Squarespace. The post emphasizes that WordPress remains the foundational platform for the “enterprise and high-performance” open web. (Source)
• WordCamp Europe 2026 Opens Call for Speakers
  WordCamp Europe has officially opened its call for speakers for the 2026 event in Basel, Switzerland. The organizing team is seeking a diverse range of topics, including development, design, accessibility, and business, with a particular interest in Case Studies and “How-to” sessions. Speakers of all experience levels are encouraged to apply before the submission window closes on February 15, 2026. (Source)
• WordCamp Europe 2026 Ticket Sales Live
  Tickets for WordCamp Europe 2026 in Basel, Switzerland, are now officially on sale. Early birds can secure their spot for the flagship event, which includes access to two days of sessions, workshops, and the Contributor Day. The organizing team is also offering “Micro-Sponsorship” tickets for freelancers and small businesses looking to give back to the community while attending. (Source)
• Nat Miletic on the Critical Importance of Owned Websites in 2026
  Nat Miletic sparked a community discussion on the evolving role of websites as we enter 2026. He argues that while social media is essential for driving awareness, a self-owned website remains the only platform where a brand truly controls its narrative, search traffic, and credibility. In an era of shifting algorithms, owning your digital “home base” is the key to long-term stability and customer trust. (Source)
• WebinarIgnition Adds Rich Webhooks for Advanced CRM Integration
  WebinarIgnition now supports fully structured webhooks, allowing users to send detailed data including registration info, UTM tags, and attendance status directly to WordPress CRMs like Groundhogg and FluentCRM. By providing a richer data payload than most SaaS competitors, the update enables precise behavioral follow-ups and advanced segmentation without requiring expensive third-party automation layers. (Source)
• #WPGivesAHand Returns for its 6th Year of Community Giving
  The annual WordPress Gives a Hand initiative returns from December 22–28, 2025, bringing together companies and creators to support global charities. Founded by WPBakery in 2020, the movement encourages businesses to donate a portion of their revenue instead of offering holiday discounts. This year’s participants, including Convesio, NitroPack, and Seahawk Media, are raising funds for causes like SOS Children’s Villages and One Tree Planted, proving the collective impact of the WordPress ecosystem. (Source)
• The WP Minute Shares WordPress Predictions for 2026
  The WP Minute has released its outlook for the coming year, forecasting a heavy focus on the “Admin Refresh” and the maturation of AI integration within the core experience. Key predictions include the rise of specialized “micro-agencies,” a shift toward more curated plugin experiences, and the increasing importance of the Interactivity API in creating app-like frontend experiences. The report suggests that 2026 will be the year WordPress prioritizes workflow efficiency over pure feature expansion. (Source)
• Do the Woo Returns as a Dedicated WooCommerce Podcast
  Open Channels FM has announced that Do the Woo is returning to its roots as a standalone podcast exclusively focused on the WooCommerce ecosystem. After a period of being integrated into a broader commerce network, the show will once again provide a dedicated space for WooCommerce builders, store owners, and developers to share insights, news, and technical deep dives specific to the platform. (Source)
• Automattic Unveils AI Vision and 2025 Product Roadmap
  In a new post, Automattic outlined its strategic vision for integrating AI across its ecosystem. The roadmap focuses on making AI a “collaborative partner” for creators, featuring tools for automated content summarization, smarter image generation, and advanced writing assistance. The goal is to lower technical barriers while maintaining the open-source principles of WordPress, ensuring AI enhances human creativity rather than replacing it. (Source)

✨ Fresh Features Rollout

1. wpDataTables Launches “Enhanced Blocks” for Better Table Management
   A new “Enhanced Blocks” plugin for wpDataTables has been released, aimed at improving the Gutenberg integration. This update allows users to manage table settings, filtering, and sorting directly from the block editor sidebar, eliminating the need to jump back and forth between the plugin dashboard and the page editor. (Source)
2. SEOPress 9.4 Adds Google Search Console Data to the Frontend
   The latest SEOPress update introduces a highly requested feature: the ability to view Google Search Console performance metrics directly on the frontend for logged-in admins. Other improvements include a new “Quick Action” to clear SEO metadata and enhanced compatibility with the latest WordPress block editor features. (Source)
3. SureForms 2.2.0 Introduces Multi-Step Forms
   SureForms has officially launched Multi-Step Form functionality in version 2.2.0. This update allows users to break long forms into smaller, digestible steps to improve conversion rates. It also includes new “Review” steps, conditional logic enhancements, and a more streamlined UI for building complex workflows. (Source)
4. Breakdance 2.6 Improves Performance and Design Flexibility
   Breakdance version 2.6 focuses on speed and control, introducing a new “Element Caching” system that significantly reduces server load for complex pages. The update also brings new design controls for the Mega Menu builder and refined “Global Styling” options to ensure consistency across entire sites with fewer clicks. (Source)
5. Divi (Elegant Themes) Introduces Native Semantic Elements
   Elegant Themes has announced a major update to Divi, introducing native support for Semantic HTML5 elements. Users can now easily assign tags like <article>, <section>, and <aside> to specific modules and rows directly from the settings. This is a significant win for SEO and accessibility, allowing for cleaner and more meaningful site structures. (Source)

🆕 Fresh Releases

• Amelia Unveils Major 2.0 Redesign for Enhanced UX
  The popular booking plugin Amelia has launched its highly anticipated 2.0 redesign. This update focuses on a modern, intuitive administrative interface and a streamlined booking flow for customers. The overhaul aims to reduce friction in the scheduling process while giving service providers more powerful tools to manage their appointments and employees with a cleaner, faster UI. (Source)
• Functionalities: A New Philosophy for WordPress Plugins
  A new project called Functionalities has launched, offering a suite of single-purpose, lightweight plugins designed to replace heavy “all-in-one” solutions. Each “Functionality” is built for performance and simplicity, allowing developers to pick and choose exactly what they need, such as custom post types or specific UI tweak,s without the bloat of traditional feature-heavy plugins. (Source)
• WPFalcon: Automated Maintenance and Security for Professionals
  WPFalcon has officially entered the market as a robust maintenance and security solution for WordPress sites. It offers automated updates, malware scanning, and performance optimization in a unified dashboard. Targeted at agencies and freelancers, WPFalcon aims to simplify site management by handling technical chores and security monitoring through a proactive, “hands-off” approach. (Source)
• Gemboards: Visual Client Dashboards and Analytics
  Gemboards has released a new way for agencies to present data to clients. This platform creates beautiful, white-labeled visual dashboards that pull in WordPress site data, Google Analytics, and SEO metrics. It is designed to bridge the gap between technical reports and client understanding, making it easier to demonstrate the value of maintenance and marketing efforts. (Source)
• Quill CRM: A Native, Lightweight CRM for WordPress
  Now available on the WordPress repository, Quill CRM is a new, simplified customer relationship management tool built directly for the block editor. It allows users to manage contacts, track interactions, and organize leads without leaving the WordPress admin. It’s an ideal solution for small businesses looking for a native, privacy-focused alternative to complex external CRM platforms. (Source)
  

🗓️ Mark Your Calendar 

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

• WordCamp Bhopal (December 20-21, 2025)
• WordCamp Nepal (Butwal, January 23-24, 2026)
• WordCamp Zaragoza (January 24, 2026)
• WordCamp Kolhapur (January 31, 2026)
• WordCamp Pune (February 08, 2026)
• WordPress DevDay (February 21, 2026)
• WordCamp Nice (March 06, 2026)
• WordCamp Madrid (March 06-07, 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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