Thank a Plugin Developer Day
Thank a Plugin Developer Day honors the creators behind the small but powerful tools that enhance our online world. It celebrates people who write tiny pieces of software—plugins—that make websites faster, more secure, and more fun.
Celebrate and recognize plugin developers in your ecosystem to build community goodwill and strengthen developer loyalty within the WordPress/software community.
- Share a spotlight post featuring a plugin developer's story and impact
- Launch a 'Developer Appreciation' campaign encouraging users to leave reviews and ratings
- Host a social media thread highlighting lesser-known plugins that solve real problems
- Create a roundup blog post of top community-recommended plugins with developer interviews
Thank a Plugin Developer Day began in January 2009. WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg introduced the idea after the WordPress plugin directory passed 4,000 entries.
That milestone made him pause and reflect on the time and care developers pour into building these tools.
He suggested a day to thank them for their work and invited users to show appreciation through kind messages, good reviews, or small donations.
The idea spread quickly across the WordPress community. It wasn’t just about saying thanks. It became a way to recognize how much these small add-ons improve everyday site experiences.
Many of the people who make plugins do it for free. Some fix bugs late at night. Others add features based on user requests, without asking for anything in return. A little public support keeps their energy going.
Over time, other groups in the tech world joined in. Users from different platforms also began thanking developers.
They tweeted notes, posted comments, or mentioned favorite tools during talks and meetups. That simple gesture helps make open-source work feel more rewarding.
Now, each year, people pause to say thanks. It’s a quick act that brings joy and reminds us that someone built that helpful plugin with care.
Drop a personal note
Write a short message to a developer whose work you like. Tell them how their plugin made a task easier for you. A concise, heartfelt note can make their day brighter. Positive feedback helps them feel appreciated.
Leave a helpful rating
Choose a plugin you rely on and rate it online. Add a few words about why it helps. Ratings boost their visibility and mood.
Share on social media
Post about a plugin you enjoy. Tag the creator when you can. Highlighting their tool helps others find it, and it shows that their effort matters.
Offer a small tip or gift
If a plugin offers donations, send a tip. Even a small amount can support continued updates. If they list wish items, choose one and gift it. That gesture goes a long way.
Recommend their work in public spaces
Mention a plugin in a blog post, forum, or Slack channel. Explain how it solved a problem for you. Word-of-mouth is a powerful way to thank developers.
Suggest improvements kindly
If you spot a minor issue or idea, share it respectfully. Developers appreciate user input. Offering constructive feedback helps them refine and improve.