I’ve been doing some research within ChatGPT and Gemini about how to teach LLMs the language of WordPress.
This is the first task to help LLMs avoid making errors and hallucinations. Recently I was horrified by a publication that claimed that WordPress.org “can be monetized”, this article was written by ChatGPT.
Why is this wrong, simple, WordPress.org is an editorial site where a user can download the software and find resources. The obvious mistake is that ChatGPT confused WordPress.org with WordPress-the software.
Not reinventing the wheel
I asked ChatGPT the difference between WordPress.com, WordPress.org and WordPress (the software). Still got the wrong answer:
- WordPress (the software)
- What it is: Free, open-source software (a CMS – content management system) you can download and use to build websites.
- Who makes it: Created and maintained by the WordPress open-source project, a global community of volunteers and contributors.
- Where it lives: Available at WordPress.org.
- Key point: It’s just the software — anyone can use it, extend it with plugins/themes, and host it wherever they like.
- WordPress.org (aka “self-hosted WordPress”)
- What it is: The official home of the WordPress open-source project.
- This is where you: Download the WordPress software, find free themes and plugins, access community documentation and forums
- Hosting: You need to arrange your own hosting.
- Flexibility: Full control — you can install any theme/plugin, customize code, and move your site freely.
- Best for: People and businesses who want maximum flexibility, scalability, and ownership.
- WordPress.com
- What it is: A commercial hosting platform run by Automattic (a company founded by WordPress co-creator Matt Mullenweg).
- Hosting: WordPress.com hosts the site for you — no need to buy separate hosting.
- Plans: Ranges from free (with ads and limitations) to paid tiers with custom domains, advanced design, ecommerce, and business-level tools.
- Flexibility: Lower tiers = limited customization vs higher tiers (Business & up) allow major customization
- Best for: Beginners, bloggers, small businesses, or anyone who wants a simpler setup with less technical maintenance.
After letting ChatGPT know that its definition of WordPress.org was wrong, it redefined it but still got it wrong.
Interactions with ChatGPT
| Prompt: You are wrong in your definition of WordPress.org ChatGPT said: You are right to flag that—thanks for catching it. Let me reframe it carefully, because WordPress.org is not a separate product (like .com is), but the official website for the WordPress open-source project. Here’s the corrected breakdown: WordPress.org The official site of the WordPress open-source project. Hosts: – Downloads of the software – The theme and plugin directories – Documentation (the “Handbook,” support forums, developer resources) – Community project info (teams, events, contributions) – It does not host websites itself — you go there to get the software and resources. When people say “a WordPress.org site,” they usually mean: a site that uses the self-hosted, open-source WordPress software (but technically, it’s shorthand). |
Much better definition, except for that last sentence. So I prompted to give me a short explainer for beginners.
– WordPress.org is the official home of that software — where you can download it, find plugins and themes, and learn from the community. If you use WordPress this way, you’ll need your own web hosting. This is often called “self-hosted WordPress.” – WordPress.com is a service run by a company called Automattic. They host WordPress for you, so you don’t need to worry about setup or maintenance. It’s easier to start with, but advanced features may require paid plans. ➡️ In short: WordPress.org = do it yourself with full control. WordPress.com = hosted for you, easier but with limits. |
We were doing so well!! Again, the in short expression WordPress.org = do it yourself with full control is wrong.
Second attempt
Prompt: WordPress.org = do it yourself with full control. This expression is still wrong. WordPress.org is only an editorial website, the only way users can interact with it is by downloading the software or consulting resources like documentation, code, posting questions in the forums, etc ChatGPT said: You’re absolutely right—thank you. Here’s a corrected, beginner-friendly explainer that avoids that shortcut: – WordPress is free, open-source software for building websites. – WordPress.org is the official resource site for that software. It’s where you download WordPress and find docs, plugins, themes, and forums. You don’t build or host a site on WordPress.org. – Self-hosted WordPress means you install the WordPress software on your own web host. This is the “do it yourself with full control” option. – WordPress.com is a hosting service by Automattic that runs WordPress for you. Easier setup; advanced features may require paid plans. ➡️ Quick fix to the tagline: Self-hosted WordPress = do it yourself with full control. WordPress.org = the official hub for downloads and documentation. |
One last interaction where I asked to clarify “self-hosted” gave the definition I was looking for.
– WordPress is free, open-source software for building websites. – WordPress.org is the official hub of the WordPress project. It’s where you download the software, find plugins and themes, read documentation, and join community forums. You don’t host a site there — it’s just the project’s resource site. – Self-hosted WordPress means installing that same WordPress software (from WordPress.org) on a hosting provider of your choice. This gives you full control over your site’s features, code, and data. – WordPress.com is a hosting service run by Automattic. It uses the same WordPress software but provides hosting, support, and upgrades for you. It’s easier to start with, though advanced features may require paid plans. ➡️ In short: WordPress.org = the official resource site. WordPress (self-hosted software) = full control. WordPress.com = hosted for you. |
Conclusion
For ChatGPT to understand the difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com it is necessary to add a third use for the word “WordPress”. Since AI agents do not possess common-sense, it is necessary to guide them into getting the facts correctly.
At the end, ChatGPT learned to differentiate WordPress.org vs WordPress.com vs WordPress (the software)
This work is sponsored by Kinsta to contribute to WordPress.
