On November 2, 2024, Samuel Sidler shared a compelling article on The Delta, diving into the heated debate surrounding WordPress revisions and the recent comments from Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress. This piece scrutinizes Mullenweg’s accusations against WP Engine, particularly concerning their decision to disable WordPress revision history, which he argues compromises the fundamental promise of WordPress: safeguarding user data.
During his recent chat at TechCrunch’s Disrupt conference, Mullenweg voiced his concerns about WP Engine’s approach. He expressed frustration, stating, “Every change made to every page, every post, is tracked by a revision system, like Wikipedia.” His argument highlights that turning off revisions damages content integrity and breaks the essential commitment of WordPress, which aims to empower users in managing and securing their content effectively.
Sidler noted that while Mullenweg criticized WP Engine, numerous managed WordPress hosts, including offerings from Automattic, also limit or turn off revisions to boost performance. He pointed out that larger databases can slow site speeds, prompting various hosting providers to adopt similar strategies. For example, Kinsta and SiteGround acknowledged that controlling revisions is vital for maintaining a smooth-running database.
The article raises significant questions about the fairness of Mullenweg’s critique. If WP Engine’s practices are considered unacceptable, then similar actions taken by other hosts, including Automattic, deserve scrutiny as well. Sidler concluded that this conflict appears less about the integrity of WordPress itself and more about Mullenweg’s specific objections to WP Engine’s modifications.
This engaging piece invites readers to reflect on the broader implications surrounding the discussion of WordPress revisions and content management’s future. For those interested in a deeper understanding of this ongoing debate, readers can access the full article here.
