WordPress 7.0 Drops Old PHP, Plugin Sales Struggles & WordPress Security | WP More - Issue 34

PHP 7.2/7.3 support ends in April, plugin sales down 80%, security deep-dive, and Make WordPress team updates. Read Here - https://wpmore.substack.com/p/issue-34 This newsletter issue details several pivotal shifts within the WordPress ecosystem scheduled for 2026, most notably the discontinuation of support for outdated PHP versions in the upcoming 7.0 release. It highlights a challenging economic landscape for plugin developers, where market saturation and AI-driven alternatives have led to significant revenue declines for easily replaceable tools. To combat increasing workloads, the WordPress team is integrating AI automation to streamline security reviews and plugin approvals. Furthermore, the community is restructuring volunteer teams to emphasize long-term commitment and rigorous technical training. Finally, the source offers a comprehensive security framework, asserting that site safety depends more on diligent maintenance and server hardening than on software core stability.