Automattic claims over 16,000 sites left WP Engine amid feud
- A new website called WP Engine Tracker was created by Automattic to monitor domain migrations from WP Engine.
- More than 16,000 domains have reportedly switched to other hosting providers since the beginning of the feud.
- The legal battle raises significant concerns for WP Engine's future, with implications for customer retention and market competition.
In the ongoing conflict between WP Engine and Automattic, the latter has launched a website called WP Engine Tracker to monitor how many clients have moved away from the hosting provider since September. Automattic, which is led by Matt Mullenweg, a co-founder of WordPress, stated that this initiative highlights the shift of more than 16,000 domains to competing hosts. This migration has caused significant concern for WP Engine as they face legal challenges and a declining customer base due to a combination of factors such as rising prices, service reliability issues, and negative public sentiment. Notably, the conflict escalated after WP Engine filed a lawsuit, which Mullenweg mentioned has led to the hosting provider's customers realizing the lack of a formal association with WordPress. The situation intensified when Mullenweg demanded a licensing fee from WP Engine, asserting that the company misrepresented its ties to WordPress, directly impacting its reputation in the market. The ongoing marketing battle is evident as the official WordPress accounts promote rival hosting services while aiming to highlight alternatives to WP Engine. This competitive landscape raises questions about the future stability of WP Engine following the public fallout and legal disputes with Automattic. Mullenweg’s comments at a recent tech conference suggest that the impact on WP Engine's business could worsen, indicating that the rivalry is not only affecting customer retention but is also crucial for the overall competitive hosting market.