When a Jetpack site is connected for the first time, the user making the connection is designated as the site’s “Jetpack Primary User,” also known as the “Jetpack Connection Owner”.
What is a Primary User?
The Primary User or Connection Owner is the site owner of the data and other account-specific information that we store for you on our servers. This includes things like Site Stats, Subscribers, and so on.
In addition, this user needs to be the primary point of contact for support requests that pertain to this data, including migration or transfer of this data from one site to another. For example, if you need to transfer blog subscribers, the request needs to be made by the Primary User.
If no other users are connected to WordPress.com, the Primary User will also receive all post notifications (comments & likes) for any post published, regardless of the author.
Users who connect their WordPress.com accounts after the Primary User are considered non-owner users. They can use Jetpack features but don’t have access to core data ownership.
Different ways Jetpack can be connected to a site
Understanding how Jetpack connects your site and users helps clarify how the Primary User fits into the system. There are three levels of connection:
No connection
Some Jetpack features run locally on your WordPress site and don’t require any connection to WordPress.com. These include tools like Carousel, Copy Post, Markdown, and Shortlinks. These features work out of the box after installation without requiring a WordPress.com user account or cloud-based services.
Site connection
A site-only connection links your site to the WordPress.com cloud but does not connect any individual users. This level allows access to features like Site Accelerator for image and CDN optimization, Firewall for basic rule propagation, Sitemaps, Stats, and SEO Tools. Your site is assigned a unique blog ID at this stage, and some Jetpack features begin syncing with the WordPress.com cloud, but user-specific features are still unavailable.
User connection
To unlock full Jetpack functionality, individual WordPress users must connect their local accounts to WordPress.com. This enables features like the Activity Log, Jetpack Social, Monitor, Notifications, Jetpack Mobile App access, and advanced tools like Backup, Scan, and VideoPress. The first administrator to make this user connection becomes the Primary User, providing admin-level control over Jetpack features and data.
Determining the Primary User
You can figure out who the primary user is by going to My Jetpack → Connections. You should see the label Owner next to the username of the admin user, who is considered the primary user or connection owner.
Changing the Primary User
If you need to change the Primary User on your site, you can follow this guide.
Best practices
Use an Administrator account
To ensure full control over Jetpack and avoid permission issues when activating plans, managing settings, or accessing features, the primary user connecting Jetpack to WordPress.com must have Administrator privileges on the WordPress site.
If a non-administrator user connects Jetpack, you may see permission errors or missing functionality later in the setup.
To verify your role:
- Go to WP Admin → Users.
- Locate your account in the user list.
- Confirm the Role is set to Administrator.
If you’re not an Administrator, please ask a site admin to either elevate your user role or perform the Jetpack connection on your behalf.
Use matching emails for WordPress.com and WordPress
It’s best to use the same email address for your WordPress.com account and your WordPress site administrator account. This helps prevent account mismatches or connection issues down the line.
For smooth management, the first administrator who connects to Jetpack (connection owner) should also manage any active Jetpack plans or subscriptions via WordPress.com or Cloud.Jetpack.com.
For full functionality across the board, encourage all users who need Jetpack features to connect their own WordPress.com accounts.
Managing user connections
You can manage and disconnect Jetpack user connections from the Connections → Manage in My Jetpack dashboard. The available interface differs depending on whether the user is the Primary User (Connection Owner) or a non-owner user.
Non-Owner user options
If you’re connected to Jetpack but not the Primary User, you will see two options.
Disconnect my user account
You can disconnect your own user account by selecting “Disconnect my user account.” This action only affects your own user connection. The Jetpack site connection and other user accounts remain unchanged.
Disconnect Jetpack
This allows you to fully disconnect Jetpack from the site, affecting your connection and other users. However, this action should be coordinated with the site owner or other administrators since it affects everyone using Jetpack on the site.
Owner / Primary User options
If you’re the Connection Owner, you will one additional option to help transfer ownership to another connected admin by selecting “Transfer ownership to another admin.”
Disconnect my user account (Owner)
Selecting “Disconnect my user account” as the Connection Owner triggers a warning message. This message explains that disconnecting your account will also disconnect all other connected users. If the owner proceeds to connect its user account, the site reverts to a site-only connection, meaning features that do not require individual user connection can still operate.
Disconnect Jetpack (Owner)
Choosing “Disconnect Jetpack” as the Connection Owner removes both your user account and the site’s connection to WordPress.com entirely. This action disables all Jetpack services available through site-level or user-level connections.
To maintain continuity and uninterrupted access to Jetpack features, the recommended approach is to transfer ownership to another admin before disconnecting yourself as the Primary User.
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