WordPress Planning 2026: Plugins, Privacy, AI & More

WordPress now powers more than 40% of the web, and it continues to evolve rapidly. For marketers, developers, and digital teams, staying on top of changes means understanding how new technologies, AI integrations, plugin and theme trends, security updates, and SEO changes will shape the platform in the coming year. Ready to stay one step ahead? Join us to get the insider knowledge and actionable insights you need to confidently plan your WordPress success in 2026 and beyond! This webinar is part of a regular series put on by Northwoods, covering topics such as UX design, UX & website strategy, website development, SEO, digital marketing & advertising, and more. #wordpress #wordpressplugins #webinar ⏱️ ***** Time Stamps 00:00 - Today's Journey 01:36 - Recent Changes to the Gutenberg Editor 04:00 - WordPress Core Updates: Stability, Security, & Sustainable Development 08:34 - WordPress Legal Drama: WP Engine and Automattic 11:56 - The Latest in WordPress Plugins: UX/UI, Security, and AI 18:35 - Preparing for WordPress in 2026: Security, Plugins, Hosting, and Accessible Design 27:47 - Data Privacy Compliance and Consent Management Platforms 35:49 - AI and Predictive User Behavior 43:59 - Quick Hits: 2026 Planning Summary 46:26 - Q&A 📚 **** Resources, tools, and courses mentioned in the video Patchstack State of WordPress Secruity in 2025: https://patchstack.com/whitepaper/state-of-wordpress-security-in-2025/ US State Privacy Legislation Tracker: https://iapp.org/resources/article/us-state-privacy-legislation-tracker/ Upcoming Northwoods Webinars: https://www.nwsdigital.com/Classes Northwoods Blog: https://www.nwsdigital.com/Stories/Blog Around the Campfire Podcast: https://www.nwsdigital.com/AroundtheCampfire 🚀 **** Follow Northwoods LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/northwoods-software Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northwoodsdigital/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/nwsdigital.bsky.social Threads: https://www.threads.com/@north