Automattic is Migrating Tumblr to WordPress  – WP Tavern

Automattic introduced final week its plan to migrate Tumblr to WordPress, a transfer described as “one of many largest technical migrations in web historical past.” This transfer comes after Automattic acquired Tumblr in 2019, marking the corporate’s greatest acquisition on the time.

In the course of the acquisition, Matt Mullenweg had identified that “Tumblr and WordPress have all the time been very philosophically aligned.” An rising Tumblr/WordPress plugin and theme ecosystem had been on the playing cards, and Matt mentioned that when Tumblr’s backend is on WordPress, the concept of plugins may be explored.

After the acquisition, Tumblr confronted powerful occasions, with Matt revealing final yr that it was spending about $30 million greater than its annual earnings. The porn ban didn’t assist issues, however the Twitter Exodus of early 2023 following Elon Musk’s acquisition of the social media website gave it a sudden increase. 

The migration announcement submit mentioned, “We’re not speaking about altering Tumblr. We’re not turning Tumblr into WordPress. That might defeat the aim. We acquired Tumblr to profit from its variations and strengths, to not water it down. We love Tumblr’s streamlined posting expertise and its present product course. We’re not altering that. We’re speaking about operating Tumblr’s backend on WordPress. You gained’t even discover a distinction from the skin.”

Automattic reiterated that “The adjustments can be solely on the backend.”

The migration although not simple – with Tumblr internet hosting over half a billion blogs – can be a win-win state of affairs for each WordPress and Tumblr. Automattic believes that “Tumblr will profit from the collective effort that goes into the open supply WordPress mission. And WordPress will profit from the instruments and creativity we make investments into Tumblr and contribute again to WordPress.” 

Males Needed for Hazardous Journey

Automattic is actively looking for skilled PHP programmers to undertake this migration mission. Matt in contrast this to the well-known British explorer Ernest Shackleton’s recruitment advert for his Antarctic expedition, which learn, “Males wished for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter chilly, lengthy months of full darkness, fixed hazard, secure return uncertain. Honour and recognition in case of success.”

The advertisement continues, “For those who’re an skilled programmer… in case you’re a SQL‑slinger… in case you’ve labored on different large audacious initiatives like this… if Gordian knots tremble in your presence, we need to work with you!”

“We’re already seeing attention-grabbing candidates apply and resume overview is underway for full-time roles. All related expertise is welcome, notably those that have labored on different massive migrations or are simply enthusiastic about engaged on a problem of this measurement.”

– Bob Ralian, Tumblr Migration Lead

candidates can apply by means of the website giving a short introduction about themselves. The submit doesn’t give any particulars concerning the remuneration or the appliance deadline. 

Group Response 

Matt tweeted “I’m enthusiastic about this one.”, whereas Eric Karkovack of Speckyboy quipped “Will there be a mission standing weblog? In that case, I’d advocate calling it “Tumblng Into WordPress”.”

Platform Lead Engineer at Pew Analysis Middle Seth Rubenstein tweeted, “That is so thrilling. I hope this implies it turns into simpler to create Tumblr themes sooner or later; particularly, dare I say, in the event that they’re simply block themes…” Courtney Robertson, Open Supply Developer Advocate at GoDaddy, additionally hopes to see extra “ block themes supporting submit codecs SOON.”

Head of WP Relations at Elementor, Miriam Schwab dubbed it “The final word “knowledge liberation” mission” whereas Developer Advocate WPEngine Damon Cook speculated, “I’m wondering if there can be outcomes from this huge migration that might overlap and assist clear up items of the Knowledge Liberation mission.”

Product Designer Yash Bhardwaj was excited ”It will go down in historical past books much like some historical empire conquering one other.” 

Nick Weisser of Openstream is optimistic “This is able to symbolize a major enhance out there share of #WordPress, pushing it from round 43% to over 60%?”

I’m positive nobody foresaw these developments when Jeff Chandler wrote “WordPress To Be More Tumblr Like” in 2010.