What is the difference between wordpress.com and wordpress.org? Does wordpress.com own WordPress?

The distinction between WordPress.com and WordPress.org can be somewhat confusing, but they serve different purposes and are run by different entities.

WordPress.com

Hosting Service: WordPress.com is a commercial hosting service run by Automattic, a company founded by WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg.
Ease of Use: It provides an easy-to-use platform where you can create and manage a blog or website without needing to worry about hosting, maintenance, or updates.
Plans and Pricing: It offers various plans, ranging from free (with limited features and WordPress.com branding) to premium plans with advanced features and custom domains.
Limitations: The free plan has ads and limited customization options. Users on free or lower-tier plans cannot upload custom plugins or themes.

WordPress.org

Open-Source Software: WordPress.org is where you can download the open-source WordPress software, which you can use to build and manage your own website.
Self-Hosting: You need to purchase your own hosting and domain, and you are responsible for maintaining the site, including updates, backups, and security.
Flexibility and Control: Offers complete control over your website, including the ability to install custom themes and plugins, and modify the code.
Community Support: Backed by a large community of developers and users who contribute to its continuous development and provide support through forums and documentation.
UltimateWB integrates WordPress from WordPress.org, to provide an easy way to integrate a WordPress blog in your UltimateWB built website, and have it match in style. You can customize styling more easily via the UltimateWB built-in Styles Manager.

Ownership and Domain Name Confusion

Ownership: Automattic owns and operates WordPress.com, but it does not own WordPress itself. The WordPress software is open-source and maintained by the WordPress Foundation.
Domain Name Confusion: The similarity between WordPress.com and WordPress.org can indeed cause confusion. While Automattic, which operates WordPress.com, is closely related to the original development of WordPress, it does not own the open-source software or the WordPress.org domain.

Is this a good example of a company – WordPress – that should have purchased the .com domain name extension as well, to avoid confusion?

i.e as described in the recent blog post, “Why all big sites and media news sites bought multiple domain extensions and redirect it to their main .com site?“

…Should WordPress Have Purchased the .com Domain?

The situation with WordPress is unique:

Strategic Decision: Automattic’s decision to operate WordPress.com was strategic. It leverages the popularity of the WordPress name to provide a commercial service that funds further development and provides a user-friendly entry point for new users.
Branding and Differentiation: Ideally, companies aim to secure multiple domain extensions (.com, .org, .net) to protect their brand and avoid confusion. However, in this case, the differentiation between .com (a hosting service) and .org (the open-source project) helps maintain clarity about what each service offers.
Educational Efforts: The WordPress community and Automattic make efforts to educate users about the differences between the two, helping to mitigate confusion.

In summary, while the situation is not ideal in terms of potential confusion, it has been managed through branding, education, and strategic positioning. The WordPress ecosystem thrives because both WordPress.com and WordPress.org cater to different user needs effectively.

How did Automattic manage to get the wordpress,com domain name when they don’t own WordPress?

Automattic’s acquisition of the WordPress.com domain name is rooted in its foundational ties to the WordPress project and its co-founder, Matt Mullenweg. Here’s a detailed explanation of how Automattic managed to get the WordPress.com domain:

Foundational Background

Creation of WordPress: WordPress was created in 2003 by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little. WordPress.org was registered on May 23, 2003. The software was open-source from the start, and it was distributed via WordPress.org.
Formation of Automattic: In 2005, Matt Mullenweg founded Automattic, a company aimed at providing commercial services around WordPress and other related products. Automattic was created to support the development of WordPress and offer services like hosting, premium themes, and plugins.

Acquisition of the Domain

Strategic Vision: Matt Mullenweg and Automattic had a clear vision of leveraging the WordPress name for their commercial hosting service. This strategic vision was based on the growing popularity of the WordPress software and the need for a user-friendly, managed hosting solution.
Registration of WordPress.com: WordPress.com was registered on March 29, 2005. Given Matt Mullenweg’s central role in the creation and development of WordPress, securing the WordPress.com domain for Automattic was a natural step. The domain was likely registered with the intent of providing a commercial platform that would complement the open-source project.
Support and Governance: The WordPress Foundation, which oversees the WordPress trademark and ensures the project remains open-source, supports Automattic’s use of the WordPress.com domain. This relationship is founded on mutual goals: promoting WordPress and ensuring its sustainability through commercial ventures.

Managing the Relationship

Clear Distinction: Over the years, Automattic and the WordPress Foundation have worked to maintain a clear distinction between WordPress.com (a commercial service) and WordPress.org (the open-source project). This distinction helps users understand the different offerings and supports the broader WordPress ecosystem.
Community and Support: Automattic contributes significantly to the WordPress open-source project, both financially and through code contributions. This symbiotic relationship benefits the entire WordPress community.

Summary

Automattic managed to get the WordPress.com domain name due to its deep-rooted connection to the WordPress project and its strategic vision of offering a commercial hosting service. The clear distinction between WordPress.com and WordPress.org, along with ongoing contributions to the open-source project, has allowed both entities to thrive while supporting the broader WordPress community.

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