AI is Now a Contributor to WooCommerce. What Comes Next?

Using AI Deep Research to Improve WordPress Plugins

Yes, vibe-coding is useful. But the most powerful way to use AI may be deep research. Ross Morsali is the developer of the Search and Filter [https://searchandfilter.com/] plugin. He uses deep research to find entirely new solutions to complex WordPress problems. For example, WordPress search is normally slow for large sites. If you have over 10,000 WordPress posts, it can take a while for your visitors to see search results. Ross used deep research to find entirely new solutions to this problem. With deep research, AI can investigate complex questions, crawl many sources, cross-reference claims, and synthesize the findings. This is a great conversation with a developer who takes his work seriously and loves to break new ground. In the second half of the podcast, Ross talks about taking his deep research to build innovate answers in a new area: speech-to-text. 0:00 — Steve introduces Ross and the deep-research topic. 2:07 — Ross explains the search/filter performance problem. 4:11 — Ross describes indexing and the technical foundation behind fast search. 5:12 — Ross explains how deep research with AI helped him explore new approaches. 6:29 — He breaks down how he uses research mode in Claude. 8:22 — Ross describes how long the research phase took. 9:21 — He explains the bitmap approach that improved performance. 11:23 — Ross talks about using AI coding tools alongside research. 12:30 — The rewritten indexing system ships in January. 15:42 — Ross shifts to a new rabbit hole: speech-to-text. 17:40 — He explains why low latency is critical for voice input. 19:30 — The voice tool concept expands into a much broader system. 22:17 — Ross says they’re in the polishing stage and still refining details. 27:25 — He talks about training a new model and applying for a grant. 29:57 — Ross explains his privacy-first mindset and why data ownership matters

2026 Has Changed Everything About WordPress Security

February 2026 was absolutely revolutionary for WordPress security. Austin Ginder runs a hosting company and he was suddenly overwhelmed by new hacking attempts. Austin's response was creative, constructive, and inspiring. In this episode of the PublishPress Podcast, I talk with Austin about how AI is transforming WordPress security. Austin started as a skeptic but has come to embrace AI tools like Claude Code, which have revolutionized his approach to coding and security. We discuss the increasing sophistication of hackers and their supply chain attacks. But we also discuss the potential for these tools to make WordPress a safer platform. Check out Austin's work at https://anchor.host [https://anchor.host] and https://wpbeacon.io [https://wpbeacon.io].

WordPress Businesses Are Moving From Products to Services

Robbie Adair has run her agency for over 20 years and has navigated many technology shifts. In this episode, Robbie says that we're in the middle of a major shift in the WordPress business. AI means that products are less valuable, but services are more valuable than ever. Customers need experts to help them navigate all the choices and challenges presented by AI. Robbie is incredibly positive about the opportunities in front of us. There are endless opportunities for people in the WordPress community to thrive in this new area. Find more about Robbie's work at https://mediaateam.com [https://mediaateam.com]. Timestamps: 02:00 - Robbie's experience at PressConf and the Arizona heat 03:45 - The vibe of small industry-focused conferences and community building 07:41 - Industry anxiety around AI and the importance of embracing change 09:08 - How agencies are balancing AI adoption with trusted human expertise 11:01 - Decline and resurgence in product versus service models 12:25 - The power of long-term relationships in a changing ecosystem 14:34 - Evolving client needs: from websites to integrated solutions including podcasts 17:28 - How agencies are adjusting to AI-driven content creation 20:10 - Using podcasts and video for better customer engagement and brand storytelling 22:35 - The importance of personal voice and authenticity in AI-generated content 25:17 - The limitations of current AI tools in editing and content refinement 28:58 - Practical AI tools for internal use: Notebook LM, Claude, and privacy considerations 32:22 - Agency experiments with AI tools for website design and content generation 35:23 - The ongoing evolution of AI tools and their impact on agency workflows 38:32 - Robbie’s enthusiasm for the future of AI and agency growth 39:16 - Connecting with Robbie and her new agency-focused podcast

What Publishers Need to Know About Web Accessibility

Amber Hines from Equalize Digital has spent years helping publishers to make their websites more accessible and user-friendly for everyone, including those with disabilities. I ask Amber questions I've heard from publishers. For example, is it helpful to have an audio version of my articles? Should we offer a text-only version of the site? Can we trust automated tests for accessibility? More about Amber: https://equalizedigital.com/ [https://equalizedigital.com/] Check our Amber's plugin: https://wordpress.org/plugins/accessibility-checker/ [https://wordpress.org/plugins/accessibility-checker/]

Paywalls and Advertising are a Perfect Combination for Publishers

We have a lot of guests on the PublishPress podcast who are building paywalls for publishers. Chris Ward from the Publisher Desk believes we should take a different direction. He argues that paywalls only make sense when you combine them with a strong commitment to advertising. Some users will just never pay for content, but you can still provide value for them and earn revenue from them. Chris has a long and deep history in the advertising world. He worked in advertising at News Corp and then Undertone, a big ad network. Chris is now the co-founder of The Publisher Desk, a publishing and advertising agency. He also takes his own advice and runs a network of sports content websites. Find out more about Chris' work: https://www.publisherdesk.com [https://www.publisherdesk.com]