Collapsing Categories
by robfelty · Admin & Utilities
Also makes 6 other plugins · 7.3K+ installs across the portfolio →
Adds a widget which uses Javascript to dynamically expand or collapse the set of posts for each category.
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
B 78/100
no flags
Active installs
4K+
≈4.5K estimated
Momentum
+22%
downloads vs prior 30d
Biggest opportunity: Add “subcategories”, “subcategory” and “categories widget” to your wp.org tags. You rank #9, #9 and #14 for them without listing them, close enough for a declared tag to move you up. WordPress.org counts only your first five tags, so with 4 listed these are the slots worth spending.
78 health vs 56 average across 5,895 Admin & Utilities plugins
Install conversion
How it's measured →1.3%
of downloads still active
At least 4K of 296.4K lifetime downloads are still running, above its category: the median Admin & Utilities plugin keeps 0.6%, across 4,188 plugins.
Downloads count every update, not just first installs, so older and more frequently released plugins read lower. Compare against other Admin & Utilities 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 1 release 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 261 days ago, past the ~180 days where wp.org starts discounting
Tested up to WordPress 6.9.11, the current branch or newer
4.1★ over 57 reviews, smoothed to 4.10★
4 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.
35
Momentum
Losing ground
-0.7
Velocity
places per keyword, 28d
13%
Breadth
of keywords climbing, 28d
-0.3
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| collapsing | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| categories your tag | #12 | #13 | down 1 |
| exclude categories widget | #6 | #13 | 0 |
| subcategories | #9 | #11 | 0 |
| subcategory | #9 | #11 | up 1 |
| each category | #16 | #18 | — |
| top categories | #8 | #16 | down 4 |
| categories widget | #14 | #20 | down 2 |
| widget empty categories | #9 | #21 | 0 |
| categories sidebar | #9 | #13 | down 1 |
| collapse | #24 | #17 | down 4 |
| widget categories | #12 | #19 | 0 |
| advanced categories widget | #21 | #23 | down 1 |
| product categories widget | #24 | #23 | — |
| add collapse | #23 | #23 | down 2 |
| expand collapse | #24 | #18 | — |
| navigation your tag | Not in the top 24 | ||
| sidebar your tag | Not in the top 24 | ||
| widget your tag | Not in the top 24 | ||
74 searches this plugin appeared in over the last 90 days, 16 listed. 58 left out as unrelated or noise (years, numbers, stray words). 3 of its tags aren't in the top 24 for their own search.
What to do about it
- Add “subcategories”, “subcategory” and “categories widget” to your wp.org tags. You rank #9, #9 and #14 for them without listing them, close enough for a declared tag to move you up. WordPress.org counts only your first five tags, so with 4 listed these are the slots worth spending.
- One page off on “categories”. #12 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 3K · 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
Occasionally updatedHow often this plugin actually ships. A steady rhythm is the maintenance signal a single "last updated" date can't show.
1
releases in the last 12 months
9mo ago
latest release · v3.0.12 · 12 Feb 2026
38
tagged releases on record
Recent releases
What its installed base runs
via wordpress.orgShare of active installs on each version of this plugin · 57% 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 “4K+”. Our estimate pins where the real number sits.
Crossed into this band 9 months ago; the previous band took 13 months to cross, which places it about 50% of the way through.
Install history since 11 May 2020
Recent reviews
All reviews on wp.org ↗- ★★★★★ Avantart1.3y ago
there are a lot of unresolved topics in the support forum and this shows that the plugin is a waste.. it is not doing what it should and the developers ignore the users
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ yicing1.9y ago
This plugin is simple and easy to use. Highly recommended!
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Artan3.5y ago
Really love the plugin. U can achieve a lot with it and it is super useful for shops also! There is a good base for adding your own CSS and change it to your own desire. At the moment there are a few bugs I think, where the “advanced options” button is not working and therefore it´s kind of not possible to use some settings. I hope the developer keeps this plugin running and up to date. This deserves far more stars then it got.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ sjoerddooren6.3y ago
Works as should.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ damicron6.6y ago
Works perfectly once again after 2.2.4 update. Works with WP 5.4 and PHP 7.4 Thanks! You’re the man! See it in action here, slowjamsforever.com haha
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Hincapie6.6y ago
Widget code remains regardless if widgets are turned off
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ fritz886.6y ago
The plugin itself is very functional and nicely made, but somehow not compatible with the up to date php versions. I’m getting the following error message above my categories: Warning: A non-numeric value encountered in /data/web/virtuals/153331/virtual/www/domains/homepage/wp-content/plugins/collapsing-categories/collapscatlist.php on line 267 Please fix and update your plugin and I will install it again! Thank you
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ queenmypawn7.0y ago
This is a powerful plugin. It collapses your categories and expands them if you click on the arrow (or +, or [+], or your custom image!). I am glad I found this plug-in. It needs more publicity.
Read on wp.org ↗
Latest updates
via wp.org changelogRecent releases and news for this plugin
- — Version 3.0.12 Fixed possible SQL injection 3.0.12
- — Version 3.0.11 Fixed PHP warnings 3.0.11
- — Version 3.0.10 Fixed issue with activating the plugin 3.0.10
- — Version 3.0.9 Cleaned up some obsolete code Removed REST API Fixed security issue which could allow users using the REST API to inject SQL 3.0.9
- — Version 3.0.8 Updated deprecated __experimentalGroup to group Compatible with WordPress 6.4.1 Got rid of some warning messages 3.0.8
- — Version 3.0.7 Fixed another issue with subcategory only option (Again, Thanks Boris for testing) 3.0.7
Security history
via Wordfence IntelligenceAll 2 disclosed vulnerabilities are patched in the current version (3.0.12). Sites still on an older version should update.
- 2026-02-16 CVE-2026-32366 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command Affects <= 3.0.9 Patched in 3.0.12
- 2024-12-17 CVE-2024-12025 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command Affects <= 3.0.8 Patched in 3.0.9
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 6.3.1
Languages
via translate.wordpress.orgTranslated into 39 languages, 1 at 90% or more
Plus 15 more locales with partial translations.
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 "Adds a widget which uses Javascript to dynamically expand or collapse the set of posts for each category."
- ✓ Has a FAQ 7 questions in the FAQ.
- ! FAQ asks real questions 3 of 7 FAQ entries are headings, not questions ("There seems to be a newline between the collapsing/expanding symbol and the").
- ✓ Names who it is for Names its audience or use cases ("if you have", "use this").
- ! Names what it works with Names no plugin, service or platform it works with.
- ✓ Headings and lists 4 headings and 40 lists.
- ✓ Enough to quote 5,923 characters of description.
- ✓ Tags match the text 2 of 4 tags appear in the text; "navigation", "sidebar" do not.
Growth timeline
Install-tier crossings we have observed, and how long each tier took to outgrow
- 2026-01-28 5K+ → 4K+ down after 398 days in tier
- 2024-12-26 6K+ → 5K+ down after 377 days in tier
- 2023-12-15 7K+ → 6K+ down after 1 days in tier
- 2023-12-14 6K+ → 7K+ up after 17 days in tier
- 2023-11-27 7K+ → 6K+ down after 343 days in tier
- 2022-12-19 8K+ → 7K+ down after 274 days in tier
- 2022-03-20 9K+ → 8K+ down after 473 days in tier
- 2020-12-02 10K+ → 9K+ down
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).
- R Recent Posts by Category Widget 4K+ installs · 4.3★ · 3 shared tags D
- E Expanding Archives 3K+ installs · 4.2★ · 3 shared tags A
-
Categorized Tag Cloud 1K+ installs · 3.9★ · 3 shared tags B -
Recent Posts Widget With Thumbnails 100K+ installs · 4.8★ · 2 shared tags A -
Image Widget 100K+ installs · 4.8★ · 2 shared tags A -
Custom Sidebars – Dynamic Sidebar Classic Widget Area Manager 100K+ installs · 4.7★ · 2 shared tags A
Embed this report card
Drop a live Pulse card for Collapsing Categories into a readme, a review or a deck. It updates itself.
<iframe src="https://plugins.wpmayor.com/embed/collapsing-categories" width="480" height="300" style="border:0" loading="lazy" title="Collapsing Categories — Plugin Pulse"></iframe> Collapsing Categories: 4K+ active installs, 4.1★ (57 reviews). Plugin Pulse (WP Mayor), as of 2026-10-31. https://plugins.wpmayor.com/plugin/collapsing-categories
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