Yoast Co-Founder Advocates for Leadership Reform in WordPress, Faces Pushback from Mullenweg

Joost de Valk, co-founder of the popular Yoast SEO plugin, has sparked a debate within the WordPress community by calling for a shift in the governance model of the platform. He proposed removing Matt Mullenweg as the sole decision-maker and transitioning to a more inclusive and democratic governing board representing a broader spectrum of stakeholders. Mullenweg, however, dismissed these proposals, highlighting fundamental disagreements over the future direction of WordPress governance.

The Critique of Mullenweg’s Leadership

Joost’s criticisms were spurred by a recent incident involving a holiday pause in WordPress services, which disrupted workflows and caused issues with WordCamp registrations. This prompted Joost to file a GitHub ticket to address the problem. For Joost, the episode underscored the risks of centralized decision-making in an ecosystem as large and diverse as WordPress.

Characterizing Mullenweg as a "Benevolent Dictator For Life" (BDFL), Joost noted that many in the WordPress community no longer see his leadership as benevolent. He referred to a prior interview where Mullenweg rejected the term "dictator" in favor of "enlightened leader," a self-description Joost criticized as unrepresentative of the broader community’s sentiment.

Governance and the Lack of Democracy in WordPress

A core tenet of the WordPress mission is the "democratization of publishing." However, Joost argues that the governance of the platform itself is far from democratic, with key decisions concentrated in the hands of one individual. This centralized control, he asserts, stifles diversity of opinion and discourages open discourse.

Joost highlighted the restrictive control over the WordPress trademark as a barrier to growth and innovation. He proposed releasing the trademark into the public domain or adopting a more open licensing model, which would allow companies to freely use terms like "WordPress hosting" and "WordPress support." This, he argued, would align with the open-source ethos and foster greater growth across the ecosystem.

Joost’s Vision for a Democratic WordPress

Joost envisions a federated governance structure where stakeholders from various parts of the WordPress ecosystem, including developers, users, and companies, have representation. One of his proposals includes decentralizing the plugin and theme repositories through a "federated" model, allowing multiple directories to curate and share resources.

He also emphasized the need for leadership that actively listens to the community, embraces diverse perspectives, and fosters inclusivity. Joost volunteered to lead this transition, stating his commitment to creating a governance structure that balances the needs of all stakeholders.

Mullenweg’s Response: A Call to Start Fresh Elsewhere

Mullenweg responded to Joost’s blog post with a measured but dismissive tone. He suggested that Joost should pursue his vision outside the WordPress ecosystem:

"I think this is a great idea for you to lead and do under a name other than WordPress. There’s really no way to accomplish everything you want without starting with a fresh slate."

This response underscores Mullenweg’s resistance to governance reform within the current framework of WordPress, effectively challenging critics to create alternatives outside the established project.

Growing Momentum for Governance Reform

Joost’s critique is not an isolated voice. Recently, a group of WordPress contributors—including core committers, team elders, and community members—signed an open letter calling for governance reform. The letter raised concerns about the lack of transparency and the risks posed by centralized control over WordPress infrastructure and decision-making.

The contributors wrote:

"We object to the status quo and believe the WordPress project’s current internal operating structure threatens the health and sustainability of the project and its community."

They highlighted the opaque governance model and the concentration of power over critical assets such as support forums, plugin repositories, and security tools.

What’s Next for WordPress?

The debate over governance reform signals a critical juncture for WordPress. While Joost’s proposals may face resistance from the current leadership, the broader conversation around democratization and inclusivity is gaining traction. Whether reform comes from within or through external initiatives, the growing pressure for change indicates that the WordPress community is ready to reexamine its governance model.

For now, the path forward remains uncertain. However, with key contributors advocating for a more transparent and democratic structure, the conversation is far from over. If implemented thoughtfully, governance reforms could ensure that WordPress remains a thriving, inclusive platform that continues to empower users and developers worldwide.