The Umbraco community has long been more than just a network of developers—it’s been a tribe, a cult (not a cult). A place where friendships were forged, ideas flowed freely, and a simple tee could symbolize belonging. But recent conversations across platforms like LinkedIn, Discord, and Mastodon suggest that this sense of unity has become more fragmented.
After yesterday's blog, it sparked a lot of discussion and with the help of chatgpt, I've pulled together all the replies and summaried the thoughts below in the hope that it maybe helps ignite a new flame for ideas and growth in the community.
One contributor noted how discussions that once happened in a single space are now spread across multiple platforms. The community hasn’t vanished—it’s just harder to find in one place. The challenge now is figuring out how to reconnect and rebuild that shared space.
Several voices expressed concern about the shift in tone within Umbraco, from a charismatic, founder-led culture to a more corporate and structured environment. Some feel that real-time conversations are being stifled, especially on platforms like Discord, where moderation and content curation can limit spontaneous discussion.
While others acknowledged improvements in documentation and structure, there’s a shared sentiment that the community’s organic, social nature has been compromised in favor of more formal channels.
Another perspective highlighted how external factors—like the pandemic, remote work, and the decline of Twitter—have reshaped how people interact. The community has grown and changed, and so must our expectations of it.
What once felt like a niche tribe now feels broader and more diffuse. That’s not necessarily a bad thing—it’s just different. And while some of the old sparkle may be gone, there’s still plenty of light to hold onto.
Newer members shared that while they see Umbraco merch worn regularly, they weren’t aware of traditions like UmbracoTees Day. They feel the community is alive but more spread out, and noted how difficult it can be to join a group that already feels tightly connected.
Some contributors mentioned that juggling multiple platforms—Slack, Teams, Discord—makes it harder to stay engaged. Others pointed out that some companies discourage community involvement during work hours, which further weakens participation.
The end of regional training courses was another turning point. These events once served as hubs for learning and networking. Now, with everything online, many connections have faded, and the community spirit has diminished.
There’s hope in initiatives like Virtual Community Hour, but attendance remains low. Real-time communication is vital, and its absence is hurting the community’s ability to connect deeply. People prefer different styles of interaction, and finding a balance is key.
The Umbraco community isn’t gone—it’s evolving. We’ve lost some things, yes, but we’ve also gained new perspectives, new members, and new ways to connect. The challenge now is to find a central space that fosters both structure and spontaneity, where newcomers feel welcome and veterans feel heard.
Whether it’s a return to in-person events, a reimagined digital hub, or simply more intentional engagement, the spark is still there. We just need to gather around it again.
If you have ideas on how to reignite the community, I'd love to hear from you and I'm sure Umbraco HQ would too.
In the meantime, why not check out some of these fantastic Umbraco community initiatives: