WordPress, the popular content management system, has announced that it will no longer auto-share content with Twitter due to Elon Musk’s new high-priced API subscription plans. The decision affects millions of users who rely on WordPress to post their social media content seamlessly.
WordPress and Twitter have had a long-standing relationship, with WordPress offering an auto-sharing feature that allows users to share their blog posts on Twitter automatically. This feature has been a convenient tool for bloggers and content creators wanting to increase their social media reach and engagement.
Twitter Steep Increase in API Pricing
However, Twitter recently announced a steep increase in API pricing, which has put WordPress in a difficult position. Twitter removed free API access and offered a “paid basic tier.” Since introducing this change, the API enterprise-level access costs up to $42,000 monthly. The new pricing structure would require WordPress to pay significantly more to continue offering the auto-sharing feature, ultimately impacting the users.
After careful consideration, WordPress has decided to stop the auto-sharing feature on Twitter. In a statement, the company explained that the decision was made to ensure the increased costs do not impact users.
“We understand the importance of social media in promoting content and engaging with audiences, but we also need to be mindful of the costs involved,” said a spokesperson for WordPress. “We believe that this decision is in the best interest of our users and the broader WordPress community.”
Twitter still needs to respond to the decision by WordPress. However, some industry experts have speculated that the move could have wider implications for social media platforms and their relationships with third-party providers.
WordPress Explores Alternative Options for Its Users
The decision by WordPress will impact its users, who will now need to share their content on Twitter manually. However, the company has assured its users that it is exploring alternative options to make social media sharing more accessible and affordable.
According to recent data, WordPress powers over 40% of all websites on the internet, making it one of the most widely used content management systems globally. The decision to halt auto-sharing on Twitter could have a ripple effect on the broader digital landscape, with other platforms potentially facing similar challenges.
The company’s decision to stop auto-sharing on Twitter is a significant development highlighting the challenges third-party providers face in the ever-changing digital landscape. While the immediate impact on users may be felt, the decision could ultimately lead to more innovative and cost-effective solutions in the future.
While WordPress has ended its Jetpack social connection to Twitter, it is still working for other social media sites like LinkedIn and Facebook, along with plans to auto-share blog posts to Instagram and Mastodon.
Written by Janet Grace Ortigas
Sources:
Toronto Star: WordPress becomes latest major company to drop Twitter over API prices; by Kevin Jiang
SiliconeRepublic: WordPress ends Twitter auto-sharing amid API price hike; by Leigh Mc Gowran
InvestorsKing: WordPress Drops Jetpack’s Social Connection to Twitter Over Price Hike; by Ojukwu Emmanuel
Digital Information World: Twitter Continues To Suffer Loss At The Hands Of Top Companies As WordPress Drops The App Due To High API Pricing
Top and Featured Image by Pete Linforth Courtesy of Pixabay – Creative Commons License
Inset Image by BoliviaInteligente Courtesy of Unsplash
