The WordPress #content-creators Slack channel, started by Anne McCarthy in September 2025 to support and connect content creators across the WordPress ecosystem, has officially been closed after four months. The channel was closed due to low engagement and difficulty maintaining momentum.
The channel was launched as an experimental space for collaboration, feedback sharing, and increasing awareness of WordPress features.
Reasons Behind the Closure
Anne McCarthy, who launched the channel, said that despite the potential of the experiment, it was not generating enough value for participants, and sustaining momentum had been challenging. She thanked the community for their involvement and explained that the channel would be closed ahead of the originally planned six-month review, as stated, “It’s something I care deeply about and see real potential in but that I recognize is not coming at the right time nor creating enough value for this crew. It’s been too hard to create momentum here and I don’t want to artificially keep a channel going that’s not serving the WordPress community well, even though we aren’t at the 6 month review mark…”
In the personal blog, Anne McCarthy reflected on the reason behind closing the #content-creators Slack channel, citing low engagement and interaction, low attendance at hallway hangouts, and low views on the recorded hallway hangout.
McCarthy also noted that if she were to run the experiment again, she would focus on stronger partner support, clearer ways for content creators to contribute, earlier engagement routines, and smaller, dedicated spaces for sharing work drafts. McCarthy also emphasized that content creation can still be recognized as a formal way to contribute to WordPress, “ In my mind, there still is a way to treat content creation itself as a first‑class, recognized way to contribute to WordPress and our official accounts.”
Anne McCarthy launched the #content-creators Slack channel as part of her effort to unite WordPress YouTubers and strengthen connections between content creators and the WordPress project, “ As part of my passion project of uniting WordPress YouTubers and growing stronger connections between the WordPress project and content creators, I’ve petitioned and kicked off a new slack channel dedicated to #content-creators.”
She added that she would continue sharing updates about WordPress releases in the #outreach channel and welcomed creators to reach out to her directly for discussions around content creation.
Rae Morey of The Repository called the closing “a shame” and expressed appreciation for the openness and effort involved, “ A shame to see this close, but I really appreciate the work and openness you brought to it….”
The initiative had its first Hallway Hangout in November 2025, and as of now the channel has been archived.