In this episode we will look at what has happened to Joomla over the past twenty years, debunk some of the myths about its popularity and examine some of the serious problems eroding the Joomla community. It is a deep dive based on three sources:

• The “well known businesses that use Joomla” scam
• Why there are fewer free extensions available for Joomla; and
  
• Is the writing on the wall for Joomla in 2025?

Episode overview

Three articles written by Michael Russell offer a critical assessment of the Joomla content management system, highlighting its significant decline in market share and relevance.  The author argues that much of the online information regarding famous brands using the platform is outdated or intentionally misleading marketing designed to attract hosting customers.  There is a deep concern regarding the shrinking ecosystem, specifically the reduction in third-party extensions and the lack of new volunteers to maintain the core software.  Furthermore, the sources explain why independent developers are moving away from free software, citing a lack of user appreciation and the high personal costs of maintenance.  Ultimately, the writer questions the long-term viability of the project as it faces a niche future dominated by hobbyists rather than professional enterprises.