Content Blocks (Custom Post Widget)
by Johan van der Wijk · Blocks
Also makes 3 other plugins · 22.5K+ installs across the portfolio →
This plugin enables you to edit and display Content Blocks in a sidebar widget or using a shortcode.
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 91/100
no flags
Active installs
10K+
≈18K estimated
Momentum
+39%
downloads vs prior 30d
Biggest opportunity: Swap “block”, “shortcode” and “widget” for “post widget”, “sidebar widget” and “content blocks”. “block” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “post widget” sits at #4 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “shortcode” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “sidebar widget” sits at #15 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “widget” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “content blocks” sits at #16 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. All five slots are taken, so one has to go.
91 health vs 71 average across 2,527 Blocks plugins
Install conversion
How it's measured →1.3%
of downloads still active
At least 10K of 767.9K lifetime downloads are still running, below its category: the median Blocks plugin keeps 2.1%, across 1,580 plugins.
Downloads count every update, not just first installs, so older and more frequently released plugins read lower. Compare against other Blocks 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.
Excellent listing optimization
Well tuned across the board
Updated 41 days ago
Tested up to WordPress 7.1.4, the current branch or newer
4.9★ over 80 reviews, smoothed to 4.59★
5 of 5 tags set · short description in place
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.
36
Momentum
Losing ground
-0.5
Velocity
places per keyword, 28d
16%
Breadth
of keywords climbing, 28d
-0.4
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| custom post widget | #3 | #4 | down 1 |
| post widget | #4 | #5 | down 1 |
| content block your tag | #12 | #12 | down 1 |
| custom post your tag | #12 | #10 | up 1 |
| content blocks | #16 | #15 | 0 |
| sidebar widget | #15 | #12 | down 1 |
| custom content widget | #8 | #10 | down 1 |
| display custom post content | #9 | #9 | up 2 |
| widget group block | #9 | #9 | down 1 |
| custom widget | #11 | #14 | 0 |
| widget post | #11 | #11 | down 2 |
| custom shortcode | #13 | #12 | up 3 |
| content area widget | #13 | #17 | 0 |
| custom post display | #13 | #10 | — |
| custom post types | #24 | #19 | — |
| wordpress post widget | #15 | #18 | — |
| frontend edit widget | #15 | #14 | down 2 |
| widget area shortcode | #16 | #16 | up 1 |
| post sidebar | #16 | #13 | down 1 |
| custom content | #18 | #17 | up 4 |
| block your tag | Not in the top 24 | ||
| shortcode your tag | Not in the top 24 | ||
| widget your tag | Not in the top 24 | ||
189 searches this plugin appeared in over the last 90 days, 20 listed. 161 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
- Swap “block”, “shortcode” and “widget” for “post widget”, “sidebar widget” and “content blocks”. “block” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “post widget” sits at #4 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “shortcode” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “sidebar widget” sits at #15 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “widget” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “content blocks” sits at #16 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 “content block”. #12 puts you just past the first ten results, where almost all the clicks stop. The gap to close is small.
- One page off on “custom post”. #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 · 1,489 days · wp.org + Plugin Pulse archive
30-day downloads
Rolling 30-day volume · peak 20.8K · 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
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
1mo ago
latest release · v3.4.4 · 21 Sep 2026
88
tagged releases on record
Recent releases
What its installed base runs
via wordpress.orgShare of active installs on each version of this plugin · 55% 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 “10K+”. Our estimate pins where the real number sits.
Crossed into this band 10 months ago and the previous band took 3.8 years to cross, so the real count is still just under 20K.
Install history since 2 Aug 2020
Recent reviews
All reviews on wp.org ↗- ★★★★★ becaneweb1.1y ago
thanks, good job !
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Anonymous User2.0y ago
Brilliantly useful plugin.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Henrik2.2y ago
Easy use, brilliant plugin
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ jbleys3.0y ago
Out of the box this tool is great to manage content. But the ability to use your own template part is where its versatility shines and allows for endless possibilities. Thanks for a great plugin.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ ghartwig3.3y ago
I can finally have canned text and place it on more than one page without having to duplicate it. Great for temporary notices, or any reused text.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ sw383.4y ago
I can use this plugin with Elementor. Very good!
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ bdgtc3.7y ago
An essential tool for our website. This is so useful it should be a standard on every WordPress site. Easy to use and works perfectly every time.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ stephenm4.3y ago
Great plugin out of the box.
Read on wp.org ↗
Latest updates
via wp.org changelogRecent releases and news for this plugin
- — Version 3.4.3 Fixed PHP 8+ fatal errors when a widget references a deleted content block or a shortcode references a missing template. Missing templates now fall back to the standard shortcode output. 3.4.3
- — Version 3.4.2 WP 7.0 compatibility tested and confirmed 3.4.2
- — Version 3.4.1 Security fix: Added allowlist validation for the shortcode markup attribute to prevent XSS attacks (CVE-2026-0894). 3.4.1
- — Version 3.3.9 WP 6.9 compatibility tested and confirmed 3.3.9
- — Version 3.3.8 WP 6.8 compatibility tested and confirmed 3.3.8
- — Version 3.3.7 WP 6.7 compatibility tested and confirmed 3.3.7
Security history
via Wordfence IntelligenceAll 6 disclosed vulnerabilities are patched in the current version (3.4.4). Sites still on an older version should update.
- Patched Medium · 6.4 Content Blocks (Custom Post Widget) <= 3.3.9 - Authenticated (Author+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via content_block Shortcode ↗2026-04-17 CVE-2026-0894 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 3.3.9 Patched in 3.4.1
- Patched Medium · 6.4 Content Blocks (Custom Post Widget) <= 3.3.5 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via content Parameter ↗2025-02-19 CVE-2024-6432 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 3.3.5 Patched in 3.3.6
- Patched Medium · 6.4 Content Blocks (Custom Post Widget) <= 3.3.5 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting ↗2024-09-05 CVE-2024-44051 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 3.3.5 Patched in 3.3.6
- Patched Medium · 6.4 Content Blocks (Custom Post Widget) <= 3.3.0 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via content_block Shortcode ↗2024-05-31 CVE-2024-3565 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 3.3.0 Patched in 3.3.1
- Patched High · 8.8 Content Blocks (Custom Post Widget) <= 3.3.0 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Local File Inclusion via Shortcode ↗2024-05-31 CVE-2024-3564 Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program Affects <= 3.3.0 Patched in 3.3.1
- Patched Medium · 6.4 Content Blocks (Custom Post Widget) <= 3.3.0 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting ↗2024-05-07 CVE-2024-34566 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 3.3.0 Patched in 3.3.1
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 7.0.1
Languages
via translate.wordpress.orgTranslated into 115 languages, 2 at 90% or more
Plus 91 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
7 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 "This plugin enables you to edit and display Content Blocks in a sidebar widget or using a shortcode."
- ✓ Has a FAQ 14 questions in the FAQ.
- ✓ FAQ asks real questions 12 of 14 read like questions a user would type.
- ✓ Names who it is for Names its audience or use cases ("use it", "if you want").
- ✓ Names what it works with Mentions WPML.
- ! Headings and lists 0 headings and 2 lists; assistants quote headed sections and bullet lists, not paragraphs.
- ✓ Enough to quote 1,675 characters of description.
- ✓ Tags match the text All 5 tags appear in the text.
Growth timeline
Install-tier crossings we have observed, and how long each tier took to outgrow
- 2026-01-09 20K+ → 10K+ down after 1391 days in tier
- 2022-03-20 30K+ → 20K+ 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).
-
Donations via PayPal 20K+ installs · 4.4★ · 2 shared tags A -
Reusable Blocks Extended 10K+ installs · 4.6★ · 2 shared tags A -
HTML Page Sitemap (Block and Shortcode) 10K+ installs · 4.2★ · 2 shared tags A -
Shortcode Widget 10K+ installs · 4.6★ · 2 shared tags B -
Shortcode Redirect 10K+ installs · 4.2★ · 2 shared tags A - A Automatic Copyright Year 6K+ installs · 4.1★ · 2 shared tags D
Embed this report card
Drop a live Pulse card for Content Blocks (Custom Post Widget) into a readme, a review or a deck. It updates itself.
<iframe src="https://plugins.wpmayor.com/embed/custom-post-widget" width="480" height="300" style="border:0" loading="lazy" title="Content Blocks (Custom Post Widget) — Plugin Pulse"></iframe> Content Blocks (Custom Post Widget): 10K+ active installs, 4.9★ (80 reviews). Plugin Pulse (WP Mayor), as of 2026-11-01. https://plugins.wpmayor.com/plugin/custom-post-widget
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