Tumblr, a once-popular social media site, is currently facing a crisis as an internal memo alleged that Automattic, the parent company, has not seen the expected results from its efforts with the platform. This memo has caused speculation that Tumblr is set to be run by a skeleton crew moving forward. The alleged memo, which has circulated on social platforms, including Threads, suggests that the majority of the 139 people working on Tumblr will be reassigned to other projects within Automattic, leaving only a small group of Trust & Safety and support workers to oversee the platform.
This move signifies a significant shift in strategy from the company, especially considering recent reports that Automattic was working on integrating a TikTok-like algorithmic feed into Tumblr in an attempt to revive the struggling platform. Despite this uncertainty, it is essential to note that this move could potentially prevent job losses, which would be a silver lining in a year that has seen numerous brutal layoffs across various industries.
Automattic, the company behind the popular blogging tool WordPress, acquired Tumblr in 2019 from Verizon, who had obtained the platform through its purchase of Yahoo! in 2017. The change of ownership, paired with a series of unsuccessful attempts to revitalize the platform, has led to a significant decline in Tumblr’s user base and revenue. One of the noteworthy events that contributed to this decline was Tumblr’s ban on adult content, a controversial decision that alienated a significant portion of its user base.
The alleged memo from Automattic outlines the company’s disappointment with the results of its efforts, stating that despite 600+ person-years of work on Tumblr since the acquisition, the platform has not seen the expected increase in revenue and usage. While the memo contains clichés about the importance of perseverance and learning from failures, it ultimately suggests that the team must reflect and decide where to concentrate their energy next.
Related Post
Automattic, in addition to WordPress, is also known for its other brands, including the journaling app Day One, the e-commerce plugin WooCommerce, Gravatar, and the note-taking app SimpleNote. This diverse portfolio indicates that the company has the resources and expertise to potentially pivot its focus away from Tumblr toward other projects with greater potential for success.
It’s important to note that despite the alleged memo and speculations surrounding Tumblr’s future, Automattic has not officially confirmed the changes. Engadget reached out to Automattic for comment and confirmation but has not received a response at the time of writing.
Looking ahead, the fate of Tumblr remains uncertain. The platform, which was once a vibrant hub for creativity and self-expression, now stands at a crossroads. Whether Automattic can chart a new course for Tumblr and reignite its appeal to users remains to be seen. In the meantime, fans of the platform continue to express their support, hoping that it can reclaim its former glory. Only time will tell what lies ahead for Tumblr and its dedicated community.
