Category Posts Block
by ZephyrWest · Uncategorized
Also makes 1 other plugin · 40K+ installs across the portfolio →
Shows a list of recent posts from a category - with thumbnails, excerpt and a load more button. For posts, pages and the Site Editor.
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 89/100
no flags
Active installs
40K+
≈45K estimated
Momentum
-5%
downloads vs prior 30d
Biggest opportunity: Swap “post list”, “load more” and “post thumbnails” for “scheduled posts”, “category template” and “category”. “post list” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “scheduled posts” sits at #5 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “load more” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #23. “category template” sits at #6 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “post thumbnails” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #16. “category” sits at #7 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. All five slots are taken, so one has to go.
89 health vs 58 average across 25,735 Uncategorized plugins
Install conversion
How it's measured →2.1%
of downloads still active
At least 40K of 1.9M lifetime downloads are still running, above its category: the median Uncategorized plugin keeps 0.6%, across 17,766 plugins.
Downloads count every update, not just first installs, so older and more frequently released plugins read lower. Compare against other Uncategorized 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 5 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.
Well optimized
Most to gain: Support resolution
Updated 12 days ago
Tested up to WordPress 7.1.4, the current branch or newer
4.5★ over 79 reviews, smoothed to 4.34★
5 of 5 tags set · short description in place
0 of 1 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.
41
Momentum
Mixed: one swing, the rest drifting
+0.0
Velocity
places per keyword, 28d
25%
Breadth
of keywords climbing, 28d
+0.1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| posts block | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| category posts | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| recent terms posts | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| block category | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| recent posts tab | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| exclude category posts | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| latest category posts | #1 | #1 | up 1 |
| category based posts | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| recent posts your tag | #3 | #4 | 0 |
| category title | #2 | #2 | up 1 |
| latest posts your tag | #4 | #4 | 0 |
| feature category posts | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| author posts to category | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| display posts from category | #2 | #2 | — |
| posts category | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| list category posts | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| category | #7 | #7 | down 1 |
| scheduled posts | #5 | #6 | up 1 |
| recent posts shortcode | #3 | #4 | 0 |
| display posts by category | #3 | #3 | — |
| post list your tag | Not in the top 24 | ||
303 searches this plugin appeared in over the last 90 days, 20 listed. 195 left out as unrelated or noise (years, numbers, stray words). 1 of its tags isn't in the top 24 for their own search.
What to do about it
- Swap “post list”, “load more” and “post thumbnails” for “scheduled posts”, “category template” and “category”. “post list” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “scheduled posts” sits at #5 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “load more” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #23. “category template” sits at #6 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “post thumbnails” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #16. “category” sits at #7 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 “post thumbnails”. #16 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 · 1,488 days · wp.org + Plugin Pulse archive
30-day downloads
Rolling 30-day volume · peak 43K · 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.
5
releases in the last 12 months
12d ago
latest release · v5.1.2 · 19 Oct 2026
64
tagged releases on record
Recent releases
What its installed base runs
via wordpress.orgShare of active installs on each version of this plugin. 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 “40K+”. Our estimate pins where the real number sits.
Crossed into this band 13 months ago; the previous band took 17 months to cross, which places it about 50% of the way through.
Install history since 6 Jun 2021
Recent reviews
All reviews on wp.org ↗- ★★★★★ danielepais2.6y ago
Good plugin to display your latest posts on a widget and filter them according to your preferences.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ rob214032.8y ago
This plugin is exactly what they say it is: Simple Thorough Does it well It solved all of my issues within minutes. I had spent hours over a couple weeks using various workarounds and plugins trying to do what this plugin did in about 30 minutes. I didn’t even have to read the documentation. I can’t say enough good things about this plugin!
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ yodastudio3.5y ago
Useful and easy to use. No support needed.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ weblink3.7y ago
Very useful plugin, love it!
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ theofontane3.7y ago
I just wanted to have a plugin that allows me to show all posts of a certain category. This plugin works only on WP-Template level, so it is not possible to use it on different pages or posts. Additionally the categories are not sorted in the “filter” dialogue. I have over 100 categories – this is not user friendly.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ janeeha4.6y ago
Daniel at Support responded quickly and solved my problem. TipTop service!
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Vkreations4.6y ago
The plugin is really very useful. The support is also excellent, ready to help. Much appreciated, and highly recommended.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ tvdster4.7y ago
Great plugin. Just what I needed and easy to use. The developer answered promptly on a Saturday when I mailed a question.
Read on wp.org ↗
Latest updates
via wp.org changelogRecent releases and news for this plugin
- — Version 4.9.22 Calculate the attachment size 4.9.22
- — Version 4.9.21 Replace classnames with clsx 4.9.21
- — Version 4.9.20 Fixed Sanitizes content Fixed Error load more 4.9.20
- — Version 4.9.19 Fixed Escap data 4.9.19
- — Version 4.9.18 Fixed Sanitize Number fields 4.9.18
- — Version 4.9.17 Fixed Sanitize text field 4.9.17
Security history
via Wordfence IntelligenceAll 3 disclosed vulnerabilities are patched in the current version (5.1.2). Sites still on an older version should update.
- Patched Medium · 4.4 Category Posts Widget <= 4.9.19 - Authenticated (Admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting ↗2025-04-03 CVE-2025-1453 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 4.9.19 Patched in 4.9.20
- Patched Medium · 4.4 Category Posts Widget <= 4.9.17 - Authenticated (Admin+) Stored Cross-Site SCripting ↗2024-12-17 CVE-2024-9638 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 4.9.17 Patched in 4.9.18
- Patched Medium · 4.4 Category Posts Widget <= 4.9.16 & Pro < 4.9.13 - Authenticated (Admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting ↗2024-07-19 CVE-2024-6158 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 4.9.16 Patched in 4.9.17
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.
Behavioral tests
via WP HiveAutomated install-time checks, tested on PHP 8.1.12 · WP 6.8.2
Languages
via translate.wordpress.orgTranslated into 15 languages, 0 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 28 Oct 2026Can an assistant quote this readme? Eight deterministic checks over the wp.org listing, no model involved.
- ✓ Says what it does "Shows a list of recent posts from a category - with thumbnails, excerpt and a load more button. For posts,..."
- ✓ Has a FAQ 4 questions in the FAQ.
- ! FAQ asks real questions 2 of 4 FAQ entries are headings, not questions ("Template, placeholder and post detail").
- ! Names who it is for Never says who the plugin is for or what they use it for.
- ✓ Names what it works with Mentions Gutenberg, Block editor.
- ✓ Headings and lists 6 headings and 3 lists.
- ✓ Enough to quote 2,219 characters of description.
- ✓ Tags match the text 3 of 5 tags appear in the text; "latest posts", "post thumbnails" do not.
Growth timeline
Install-tier crossings we have observed, and how long each tier took to outgrow
- 2025-10-03 50K+ → 40K+ down after 501 days in tier
- 2024-05-20 60K+ → 50K+ down after 381 days in tier
- 2023-05-05 70K+ → 60K+ down after 353 days in tier
- 2022-05-17 80K+ → 70K+ down after 698 days in tier
- 2020-06-18 90K+ → 80K+ down after 1082 days in tier
- 2017-07-02 80K+ → 90K+ up after 518 days in tier
- 2016-01-31 70K+ → 80K+ up after 91 days in tier
- 2015-11-01 80K+ → 70K+ down after 17 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).
-
Latest Posts 4K+ installs · 4.1★ · 2 shared tags B -
Ultimate Post List 2K+ installs · 4.3★ · 2 shared tags A - E Enhanced Recent Posts 400+ installs · 4.1★ · 2 shared tags D
-
Recent Posts Shortcode & Widget 300+ installs · 4.3★ · 2 shared tags D -
GS Posts Grid – Recent Posts, Category Posts, Post Filter, Slider & List 100+ installs · 4.0★ · 2 shared tags B - N Newstastic Post Slider 50+ installs · 3.6★ · 2 shared tags D
Embed this report card
Drop a live Pulse card for Category Posts Block into a readme, a review or a deck. It updates itself.
<iframe src="https://plugins.wpmayor.com/embed/category-posts" width="480" height="300" style="border:0" loading="lazy" title="Category Posts Block — Plugin Pulse"></iframe> Category Posts Block: 40K+ active installs, 4.5★ (79 reviews). Plugin Pulse (WP Mayor), as of 2026-10-31. https://plugins.wpmayor.com/plugin/category-posts
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