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You can use WordPress to describe compatibility, services, or content, but you should not turn “WordPress” or its logos into your own company, product, domain, or advertising brand without authorization. Download artwork from the official WordPress.org Graphics & Logos page, use it unchanged, and follow the WordPress Foundation trademark policy.

1. Use the official logo files, not a lookalike

WordPress.org provides official standard, vertical, word-mark, W-mark, and simplified logo files. The graphics page says to use those files for websites and publications and to use them in accordance with the WordPress trademark policy.

  • Download from the official source: use the WordPress.org Graphics & Logos page rather than an image-search result or an unofficial recreation.
  • Do not redraw or alter the mark: modified artwork, distorted proportions, changed lettering, or a decorative imitation can make your site look officially connected when it is not.
  • Report “fauxgo” artwork: WordPress.org specifically uses this term for incorrect lookalike logos and encourages people to report or replace them.

The logo may appear on a page explaining that a product or service works with WordPress. That page-level use is different from adopting the WordPress logo as your own identity.

2. Permission is required for branded project, product, service, company, or domain uses

The WordPress Foundation owns and oversees the WordPress names and logos. Its policy states: “Permission from the WordPress Foundation is required to use the WordPress or WordCamp name or logo as part of any project, product, service, domain name, or company name.”

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That requirement covers more than a logo file. A name that makes WordPress appear to be your organization, product, service, or project is a trademark use even if you never copy the visual mark.

Community projects are not automatically exempt

The Foundation identifies possible qualifying cases as projects whose primary purpose is promoting the spread and improvement of WordPress, that are non-commercial, and that are not associated with entities failing to comply with the GPL. Those conditions do not create a blanket license: ask the Foundation for permission, and observe the separate domain restriction below.

3. Keep WordPress out of company, product, and main-domain branding

A commercial business can explain what it does with a descriptive phrase, but should keep its own brand distinct from WordPress.

Safer descriptive reference Problematic brand identity
“123 Web Services, offering WordPress consulting for small businesses” “The WordPress Consulting Company”
“XYZ Themes, the world’s best WordPress themes” “The WordPress Theme Portal”
“Hosting for WordPress” “Hosted WordPress” or “Managed WordPress Hosting” as the business name

These examples illustrate the distinction: WordPress describes the platform your service supports; it is not the service’s identity. The Foundation says you may place the WordPress or WordCamp logo on a page describing products or services, but not use it as the company or product logo itself.

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Main domains and top-level domains are prohibited

The Foundation policy is categorical: “Under no circumstances is it permitted to use WordPress or WordCamp as part of a domain name or top-level domain name.” This applies even when the project is community-oriented or non-commercial.

WordPress.org’s domain guidance recommends using “wp” or another variation for a new site about WordPress instead of putting “WordPress” in the main promoted domain. A subdomain such as wordpress.example.com is acceptable when the primary domain remains your own brand.

4. Avoid advertising, confusing “WP” uses, and misleading plugin names

Paid advertising

The Foundation policy says, “We do not allow the use of the trademark in advertising, including AdSense/AdWords.” Do not build a paid search ad, display campaign, or advertising account around the WordPress mark in a way that suggests official sponsorship or affiliation.

“WP” still has to be clear

Shortening WordPress to “WP” does not remove the risk of confusion. The policy warns: “Please do not use ‘WP’ in any way that confuses people.” A shorthand that merely explains compatibility is different from a name that makes your business look official.

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Plugin slugs and directory names

The official Plugin Directory guidelines prohibit using a trademark or another project name as the sole or initial term of a plugin slug unless you can prove legal ownership or representation. The guidelines specifically identify “wordpress” in a domain name as a violation and apply the same principle to plugin slugs. Check the slug before submitting a plugin; changing the display name later may not solve a prohibited URL or initial slug.

Editorial wording

The WordPress documentation style guide treats trademarked terms as adjectives, not nouns or verbs. Write “a WordPress site,” “WordPress software,” or “compatible with WordPress,” rather than using “WordPress” as a generic noun or action. Avoid plural and possessive forms of company, product, or brand names where the style guide advises against them.

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Descriptive reference versus brand identity

Question Descriptive reference Brand identity
What does it do? Explains compatibility, support, hosting, themes, or consulting. Puts WordPress or its logo in the name customers identify as your business or product.
Where might it appear? Body copy, a compatibility statement, or a service-description page. Company name, product logo, plugin slug, advertising campaign, or primary domain.
Typical treatment Use the mark accurately and follow the policy. Obtain permission where required; domain and top-level-domain uses remain prohibited.

Practical compliance checklist

  1. Download the needed artwork from the official WordPress.org Graphics & Logos page.
  2. Compare the proposed use with the WordPress Foundation trademark policy before publishing.
  3. Keep your company, product, and project name independent from “WordPress” and “WordCamp.”
  4. Do not register a main domain or top-level domain containing either mark; use your own domain and, if appropriate, a subdomain such as wordpress.example.com.
  5. Use wording such as “for WordPress” or “compatible with WordPress” to explain a service instead of presenting WordPress as your brand.
  6. Keep the mark out of paid advertising, including AdSense and AdWords campaigns.
  7. Review “WP” shorthand and plugin slugs for possible confusion before launch or directory submission.
  8. Use trademarked terms as adjectives in documentation and marketing copy, and avoid misleading plural or possessive forms.
  9. If the proposed use is part of a project, product, service, company, or other branded initiative, request written permission from the WordPress Foundation before relying on it.

What to do when a use is borderline

Separate the explanatory text from the identity first: name the business or product independently, then describe its WordPress support on the relevant page. Use an official, unmodified logo only in that explanatory context. If the mark would appear in the name, logo, domain, plugin slug, or advertising, treat it as a permission question rather than assuming that a descriptive intention makes it safe. For a definitive decision, consult the current WordPress Foundation policy and request permission from the Foundation.

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