Does WordPress Recommend Bluehost Officially or Is It Marketing?

When I first saw Bluehost recommended on WordPress.org, I assumed it must be the best choice. But after digging deeper, I’ve realised that while Bluehost is officially recommended by WordPress, that doesn’t automatically make it the best hosting solution for everyone. In fact, the endorsement might not tell the full story.

Here’s what I found:

• Bluehost is beginner-friendly with a simple setup process
• It’s officially listed on the WordPress.org hosting page
• Performance is decent, but support and upselling are concerns
• Renewal prices rise sharply after the first term
• Better alternatives exist for advanced or growing sites

For an even broader collection of real customer feedback, you can check out my in-depth Bluehost reviews, which includes a wide range of user-submitted insights from across the UK.

Does WordPress Recommend Bluehost Officially or Is It Marketing?

Choosing a web host is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when building a WordPress website. And if you’ve spent any time researching, chances are you’ve seen Bluehost at the top of recommendation lists, especially on WordPress.org itself. The question is, does WordPress recommend Bluehost based on merit, or is it largely marketing?

In this post, I’ll unpack the nature of the WordPress-Bluehost relationship, why beginners flock to it, and whether it’s truly as reliable as it claims.

I’ve also included direct user feedback, performance comparisons, and my final verdict as someone who’s worked extensively with WordPress hosting platforms.

What Is the Official WordPress Recommendation All About?

Bluehost has been officially recommended by WordPress.org since 2005. It shares that endorsement with just a handful of other providers, such as SiteGround and DreamHost.

This long-standing relationship is rooted in Bluehost’s integration with WordPress and the platform’s ability to support new users.

The recommendation comes from the WordPress.org hosting page, which highlights hosts that offer features specifically tailored for WordPress users. Bluehost ticks several boxes in this regard, such as:

• One-click WordPress installation
• Automatic core updates
• 24/7 customer support
• Free domain name for the first year
• Free SSL certificate

However, WordPress.org does not clearly disclose how it selects or maintains these endorsements, leading some to question whether commercial interests play a role.

Why Do Beginners Choose Bluehost for Their WordPress Sites?

As someone who started out building websites from scratch, I understand the appeal of simplicity and reliability. Bluehost is clearly designed with beginners in mind. Its dashboard is clean and easy to navigate, and the onboarding process, from purchasing a domain to installing WordPress, is remarkably straightforward.

Here’s what makes Bluehost attractive to new users:

• Low upfront cost: Introductory pricing starts at around £2.50/month.
• Beginner-focused features: Including a guided setup wizard and pre-installed WordPress.
• Bundled tools: A free SSL, a domain name, and email accounts.
• Performance basics: SSD storage and Cloudflare CDN integration for faster loading speeds.

These features are great for someone who wants to get online quickly without diving into complex technical configurations.

Isn’t Bluehost Just Paying for WordPress Promotion?

This is where things get a little murky. While Bluehost is undeniably an official recommendation, there’s no transparency about how WordPress selects these hosts. It’s not clear if there are affiliate partnerships or if the recommendation is based solely on performance and user satisfaction.

Bluehost’s prominent placement on WordPress.org raises eyebrows, especially since better-performing providers are often overlooked. For instance, platforms like WP Engine or Kinsta receive strong reviews in developer communities but don’t feature on the official list.

This leads many to question whether Bluehost is riding on brand familiarity, long-term relationships, and marketing dollars more than current hosting quality.

Why Does Bluehost Get So Much Criticism from Its Users?

Despite its official endorsement, Bluehost has no shortage of criticism, particularly on third-party review platforms like Trustpilot and Reddit. Many of these complaints centre around support quality, technical limitations, and hidden costs.

Some of the most recent Trustpilot reviews paint a clear picture:

Repsher Milton – 2/5 Stars
“Everything was good until you guys made the updates. I can’t even install WordPress to my domain manually or normally. I like the old dashboard and commands thank you.”

BEN – 1/5 Stars
“I bought a domain, and can’t do anything with it. It’s apparently still registered under a different WordPress account and I have no options.”

Mueller Frank – 1/5 Stars
“I recently used a staging site, and they automatically mix the databases of the new website with the staging site. It’s impossible to untangle… you have to pay for more storage until the end of time. That’s nothing less than extortion!”

While some users find Bluehost convenient, there’s a pattern of frustration around:

• Confusing interface updates
• Lack of clarity with domain ownership
• Staging site issues causing technical chaos
• Hidden storage limitations and forced upgrades

It’s clear that while Bluehost may be beginner-friendly, it’s not without serious flaws—particularly for more experienced users or developers.

How Well Does Bluehost Actually Perform for WordPress Sites?

When evaluating how well Bluehost performs for WordPress sites, the data shows generally solid results for small to medium-sized websites.

Its infrastructure is built on SSD storage and includes built-in Cloudflare CDN integration, both of which help maintain speed and reliability across different regions, including the UK and Europe.

Performance Metrics Breakdown

Overall, Bluehost delivers strong uptime and acceptable load speeds for most typical WordPress users. However, performance can drop under shared hosting during traffic spikes, making it less suitable for large eCommerce, media-heavy, or enterprise-level WordPress websites.

Isn’t Bluehost’s Recommendation More About Business Than Quality?

This is a fair criticism, especially when looking at the bigger picture. Bluehost’s relationship with WordPress dates back over 15 years, which might be more about brand history and market influence than real-time performance.

When compared with more modern hosting competitors, differences become clearer:

So, while Bluehost remains a decent start for newbies, it’s not the most future-proof choice for growing or professional websites.

What’s My Final Opinion on Bluehost and the WordPress Recommendation?

After diving deep into performance stats, real user feedback, and the broader hosting market, here’s my take:

Yes, Bluehost is officially recommended by WordPress. And yes, it does offer decent value for newcomers, especially those setting up their first WordPress site. The ease of use, bundled tools, and low first-term cost make it a tempting offer.

However, I believe that this recommendation doesn’t tell the full story. For me, the cracks start to show once you’re past the honeymoon phase. The sharp price hikes, inconsistent support, and limited scalability are all red flags if you’re looking to grow or run a more complex site.

If you’re just starting out and want something quick and simple, Bluehost will serve you well. But if you value long-term reliability, better support, and transparency, you might want to explore alternatives like SiteGround or even managed WordPress hosts like WP Engine.