Automattic today announced WordPress.com Connect, a new feature that lets developers add a sign-in option to their website or app. For WordPress.com users, it means using the same log-in credentials they use for WordPress.com to sign in to third-party sites.

For this to work, developers will need to integrate WordPress.com Connect: it is a completely optional addition. Having done that, users can connect their WordPress.com accounts and profile information to a third-party, and control which ones have access to their data from their WordPress.com dashboard.

Here’s Automattic’s pitch for WordPress.com Connect:

• Millions of users: By adding WordPress.com Connect, you’ll become part of a large family that makes it easy for WordPress.com users to explore new services.
• Compatible with your existing sign-in system: WordPress.com Connect can be used on its own or as a complementary sign-in option to your existing registration system. Once a user connects, you’ll get access to their profile information, which you can use in your own app.
• Trusted relationship: Allow users to sign-in with the same credentials they use every day on WordPress.com. This takes the pain out of having to remember and manage a new log-in for another service.

WordPress.com Connect is already being used on the Automattic-owned Akismet, VaultPress, and Polldaddy. If you’re a third-party developer, you’ll want to read the following documentation: Integrate WordPress.com Connect.

To be honest, the number of login options is getting way out of hand. We would have much preferred if WordPress.com just adopted Facebook, Twitter, or Google+. Better yet, Mozilla’s Persona would have been a great choice, although it doesn’t yet support Outlook.com accounts (only Yahoo and Gmail).

See also – WordPress now powers 18.9% of the Web, has over 46m downloads, according to founder Matt Mullenweg and WordPress is 10 years old today: Here’s how it’s changed the Web

Top Image Credit: Bill Owen