Ajax Search Lite – Live Search & Filter
by wpdreams · Search
The Best Ajax Live Search and Filter for WordPress. Live suggestions, Custom Post types, Custom fields, Categories, WooCommerce & Elementor support
Try it live opens a temporary test site in your browser, which can take about 20 seconds to load. Plugins that rely on outside services or a full server may not work completely there.
Health
A 88/100
no flags
Active installs
70K+
≈79K estimated
Momentum
-13%
downloads vs prior 30d
Biggest opportunity: Swap “woocommerce search” for “internal search”. “woocommerce search” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #11. “internal search” sits at #4 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. All five slots are taken, so one has to go.
88 health vs 63 average across 980 Search plugins
Install conversion
How it's measured →2.9%
of downloads still active
At least 70K of 2.4M lifetime downloads are still running, above its category: the median Search plugin keeps 0.7%, across 647 plugins.
Downloads count every update, not just first installs, so older and more frequently released plugins read lower. Compare against other Search plugins, not across the directory. wp.org reports active installs as the bottom of a band, so the real rate is this or higher.
This plugin shipped 10 releases in the last 12 months, and every existing install that updated counted as another download. wp.org publishes no split between first installs and updates, so we show the raw rate rather than guess at one.
Details
Directory ranking optimization
How it's scored →How well this listing is tuned to rank in WordPress.org search, on the factors an owner controls. Not popularity, optimization.
Excellent listing optimization
Most to gain: Support resolution
Updated 14 days ago
Tested up to WordPress 7.1.4, the current branch or newer
4.8★ over 266 reviews, smoothed to 4.69★
5 of 5 tags set · short description in place
1 of 2 support threads resolved in the last 2 months
To rank higher: Mark more forum threads resolved — the resolved ratio feeds the ranking.
Get the full rank-higher report →Search visibility
How it's tracked →Directory searches this plugin turns up in, and which way each one is moving. WordPress.org publishes no history of search positions, so this starts the day we first tracked a keyword and never backfills.
66
Momentum
Gaining ground
+2.3
Velocity
places per keyword, 28d
68%
Breadth
of keywords climbing, 28d
+2.3
Acceleration
recent half vs earlier
wp.org is where the directory puts the plugin for that search. On merit is where it would sit if results were ranked on rating, support and updates, without the install boost. The last column is how far the wp.org position moved, from our first reading in the last 90 days to the latest.
| Keyword | wp.org | On merit | wp.org move, 90 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| search filters | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| vector search | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| ajax pagination | #1 | #1 | up 1 |
| live search your tag | #2 | #2 | up 1 |
| ajax search | #2 | #2 | up 1 |
| ajax | #2 | #2 | up 3 |
| ajax live | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| search filter | #3 | #3 | 0 |
| better search your tag | #5 | #4 | 0 |
| category search | #3 | #3 | up 4 |
| search shortcode | #3 | #4 | up 3 |
| word search | #3 | #3 | up 2 |
| web search | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| fast search | #2 | #2 | up 3 |
| product search your tag | #6 | #6 | up 3 |
| search your tag | #6 | #6 | up 3 |
| ajax search form | #2 | #2 | — |
| admin ajax search | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| ajax filter search | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| search using ajax | #2 | #2 | up 1 |
466 searches this plugin appeared in over the last 90 days, 20 listed. 360 left out as unrelated or noise (years, numbers, stray words).
What to do about it
- Swap “woocommerce search” for “internal search”. “woocommerce search” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #11. “internal search” sits at #4 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. All five slots are taken, so one has to go.
- One page off on “woocommerce search”. #11 puts you just past the first ten results, where almost all the clicks stop. The gap to close is small.
Daily downloads
Since 5 Oct 2022 · 1,490 days · wp.org + Plugin Pulse archive
30-day downloads
Rolling 30-day volume · peak 116.8K · peaks are release surges
Directory rank vs rivals
wp.org popularity rank over time · higher is better · when a rival's line climbs above yours, they've overtaken you
Rating trend
Star average over time · dips mark rough releases
Health trend
Composite health score, snapshotted daily
Update activity
How busy the existing users are, measured as downloads in the last 30 days for every 1,000 active sites. A spike means a new release everyone's pulling; a long, slow decline means an aging user base that updates less.
Release cadence
Actively maintainedHow often this plugin actually ships. A steady rhythm is the maintenance signal a single "last updated" date can't show.
10
releases in the last 12 months
14d ago
latest release · v4.14.7 · 19 Oct 2026
97
tagged releases on record
Recent releases
What its installed base runs
via wordpress.orgShare of active installs on each version of this plugin · 47% run the current release. Green is the current release; a big slice on older versions is a user base that has stopped updating.
Estimated active installs
The public count shows “70K+”. Our estimate pins where the real number sits.
Crossed into this band 2 months ago and the previous band took 2.9 years to cross, so the real count is still just under 80K.
Install history since 1 Jan 2022
Recent reviews
All reviews on wp.org ↗- ★★★★★ sleepcreaterepeat5mo ago
This plugin does everything I need and much, much more. I had a small issue with the plugin, which I reported via the forum, and the developer very quickly released an updated version which fixed it.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ dogma007mo ago
Already got thanks from a couple of our website users for the “new, fast search”. Special thanks to Ernest for quick support in our a bit peculiar fine-tuning case.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ theschtickler8mo ago
This plugin does so much, but more importantly, Ernest and the team provide stellar support, which makes this such a worthy purchase. Have used for 5+ years on various projects.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ toddkarr9mo ago
Ajax Search Pro does exactly what I needed it to do: search a complex database of 23,000 rows with simple user controls. I had a very specific situation and Ernest at Ajax support unfailingly and patiently helped me understand and work through every customized aspect and detail of his excellent search system. Ajax Search Pro now performs beautifully on my site and has never let down my customers. I’ll be using it on my future sites for other applications. A true value for what it delivers. I’m so glad I found it. Highly recommended.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ tpasxalis9mo ago
I’ve been using Ajax Search Pro for almost 3 years in a WP multisite with hundreds of big posts and the plugin works perfectly! But what is even more astonishing is the support I got whenever needed!
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ designguideat9mo ago
This is the first time i used this plugin – but i can definitely recommend it. It has a lot of options – and i needed the support, which was very helpful!
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ johnmccon10mo ago
Ajax Search is a great plugin and works a treat. It is really worth getting to know this powerful plugin to deliver great search functionality to your website. I use it on a number of sites and recently received terrific customer service when there was an issue with my own coding which affected the plugin. Fixed within 24 hours – excellent support, five stars.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ mirpal11mo ago
Hi, thanks guys the plugin working great on my website with the latest WordPress 6.9. Below you can see how to install it if someone can’t do it. First install de plugin. To work, just go to Appearance, Theme file editor, and then edit your header.php In this file search for your original search bar form and add the short code that show on Ajax Search Lite on the left side in admin, will see upper two short codes, just copy that from the right for the template down to your old php search form. Try it on my website at crazygames.cc
Read on wp.org ↗
Latest updates
via wp.org changelogRecent releases and news for this plugin
- — Version 4.14.4 Fixed: the search block now uses the current Gutenberg block API (v3), resolving the WordPress 6.9 deprecation notice and rendering correctly inside the new iframe block editor Fixed: optimized taxonomy filtering in sear 4.14.4
- — Version 4.14.3 Fix: Taxonomy term exclusions incorrectly excluded posts not assigned to the filtered category Fix: Admin font (Inter) not loading due to misplaced @import; body font-family no longer overrides the WordPress admin global 4.14.3
- — Version 4.14.2 New: Compatibility, Maintenance, and Help & Support settings submenus redesigned with a modern interface New: Statistics page now includes area charts New: Bulk delete option for recent search entries in the Statistics s 4.14.2
- — Version 4.14.1 Fix: Multiple potential TypeError exceptions on PHP 8+ (charcount, posts_per_page, search override filter, query args type coercion) Fix: Undefined array key notice in search helper filters 4.14.1
- — Version 4.14.0 New: Search statistics — tracks searches, result counts, device types and cache hit rates via a new admin panel New: Search results cache admin panel with real-time hit/miss chart and per-entry management (File, Database 4.14.0
- — Version 4.13.5 Added an option to control visibility for WPML non-translated content (display on main language, on all or off) Greatly improved the image parser by allowing additional data attributes and divs with these data attributes 4.13.5
Security history
via Wordfence IntelligenceAll 15 disclosed vulnerabilities are patched in the current version (4.14.7). Sites still on an older version should update.
- Patched High · 7.5 Ajax Search Lite – Live Search & Filter <= 4.14.6 - Unauthenticated SQL Injection ↗2026-10-19 CVE-2026-111852 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command Affects <= 4.14.6 Patched in 4.14.7
- Patched Medium · 6.6 Ajax Search Lite <= 4.13.3 - Authenticated (Administrator+) PHP Object Injection ↗
- Patched Medium · 4.4 Ajax Search Lite <= 4.12.4 - Authenticated (Admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting ↗2025-01-31 CVE-2024-13585 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 4.12.4 Patched in 4.12.5
- Patched Medium · 4.4 Ajax Search Lite <= 4.12.3 - Authenticated (Admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting ↗2024-11-21 CVE-2024-10568 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 4.12.3 Patched in 4.12.4
- Patched Medium · 4.4 Ajax Search Lite <= 4.12.1 - Authenticated (Administrator+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting ↗2024-08-02 CVE-2024-8619 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 4.12.1 Patched in 4.12.2
- 2024-07-16 CVE-2024-7084 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 4.12 Patched in 4.12.1
- 2024-01-04 CVE-2024-21752 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 4.11.4 Patched in 4.11.5
- 2023-04-03 CVE-2023-1420 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 4.11 Patched in 4.11.1
- 2015-03-26 Missing Authorization Affects < 3.11 Patched in 3.11
Vulnerability records provided by Wordfence Intelligence. Copyright 2012-2026 Defiant Inc. License and terms.
CVE records: Copyright 1999-2026 The MITRE Corporation. CVE terms of use.
Languages
via translate.wordpress.orgTranslated into 23 languages, 1 at 90% or more
AI assistants
How it's measured →Whether ChatGPT and Claude name this plugin when asked the category question, and whether the readme gives them something to quote.
Not measured yet for this plugin’s topics. Its tracked searches are not among the measured topics. See the topics measured so far.
Readme readiness
6 of 8 pass · checked 2 Nov 2026Can an assistant quote this readme? Eight deterministic checks over the wp.org listing, no model involved.
- ✓ Says what it does "The Best Ajax Live Search and Filter for WordPress. Live suggestions, Custom Post types, Custom fields, Cat..."
- ✓ Has a FAQ 5 questions in the FAQ.
- ✓ FAQ asks real questions 4 of 5 read like questions a user would type.
- ! Names who it is for Never says who the plugin is for or what they use it for.
- ✓ Names what it works with Mentions WooCommerce, Elementor, Gutenberg, Divi and 5 more.
- ✓ Headings and lists 4 headings and 2 lists.
- ✓ Enough to quote 3,952 characters of description.
- ! Tags match the text Only 2 of 5 tags appear in the text ("better search", "product search", "woocommerce search" missing).
Growth timeline
Install-tier crossings we have observed, and how long each tier took to outgrow
- 2026-08-24 80K+ → 70K+ down after 1048 days in tier
- 2023-10-11 70K+ → 80K+ up after 617 days in tier
- 2022-02-01 60K+ → 70K+ up after 365 days in tier
- 2021-02-01 50K+ → 60K+ up after 428 days in tier
- 2019-12-01 40K+ → 50K+ up after 181 days in tier
- 2019-06-03 30K+ → 40K+ up after 320 days in tier
- 2018-07-18 20K+ → 30K+ up after 263 days in tier
- 2017-10-28 10K+ → 20K+ up after 302 days in tier
Competes with
The plugins that solve the same job, ranked by shared tags then reach, closest match first. The letter on the right is each plugin's health grade (A best, F worst).
-
Relevanssi – A Better Search 100K+ installs · 4.7★ · 4 shared tags A -
Advanced Woo Search – Product Search for WooCommerce 60K+ installs · 4.8★ · 4 shared tags A -
Advance Product Search- Voice & Ajax Search for WooCommerce 9K+ installs · 4.2★ · 4 shared tags B -
Sokol: Smart WooCommerce Search 5K+ installs · 4.2★ · 3 shared tags A -
Jetpack Search 5K+ installs · 4.2★ · 3 shared tags A -
Advanced Product Search For WooCommerce 4K+ installs · 4.0★ · 3 shared tags B
Embed this report card
Drop a live Pulse card for Ajax Search Lite – Live Search & Filter into a readme, a review or a deck. It updates itself.
<iframe src="https://plugins.wpmayor.com/embed/ajax-search-lite" width="480" height="300" style="border:0" loading="lazy" title="Ajax Search Lite – Live Search & Filter — Plugin Pulse"></iframe> Ajax Search Lite – Live Search & Filter: 70K+ active installs, 4.8★ (266 reviews). Plugin Pulse (WP Mayor), as of 2026-11-02. https://plugins.wpmayor.com/plugin/ajax-search-lite
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