Database Collation Fix
by Dave Jesch · Backup
Also makes 3 other plugins · 2K+ installs across the portfolio →
Convert tables using utf8mb4_unicode_520_ci or utf8_unicode_520_ci collation to a more portable Collation Algorithm.
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
1K+
≈1.5K estimated
Momentum
+9%
downloads vs prior 30d
Biggest opportunity: Add “portable” to your wp.org tags. You rank #7 for it without listing it, close enough for a declared tag to move you up. WordPress.org counts only your first five tags, so with 4 listed it's a slot worth spending.
89 health vs 75 average across 555 Backup plugins
Install conversion
How it's measured →2.7%
of downloads still active
At least 1K of 37.5K lifetime downloads are still running, above its category: the median Backup plugin keeps 1.6%, across 284 plugins.
Downloads count every update, not just first installs, so older and more frequently released plugins read lower. Compare against other Backup 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
Recent review vibe
read from the latest 12 reviews to 2026-01-13Reviewers say it does one job and does it well, fixing illegal mix of collations errors on old or messy databases in a couple of clicks, and the newest review from 2026 is just as happy as the older ones.
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 114 days ago
Tested up to WordPress 7.0.8, the current branch or newer
5.0★ over 21 reviews, smoothed to 4.37★ and held back under 25 reviews
4 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.
40
Momentum
Mixed: one swing, the rest drifting
0.0
Velocity
places per keyword, 28d
22%
Breadth
of keywords climbing, 28d
0.0
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| illegal mix of collations your tag | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| collation algorithm your tag | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| fix | #3 | #4 | 0 |
| utf8 | #3 | #3 | 0 |
| utf8mb4 | #3 | #2 | 0 |
| portable | #7 | #6 | down 1 |
| illegal | #3 | #3 | 0 |
| database your tag | #16 | #18 | up 1 |
| database tables | #16 | #20 | 0 |
| mix | #24 | #22 | down 4 |
| migration your tag | Not in the top 24 | ||
24 searches this plugin appeared in over the last 90 days, 10 listed. 14 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
- Add “portable” to your wp.org tags. You rank #7 for it without listing it, close enough for a declared tag to move you up. WordPress.org counts only your first five tags, so with 4 listed it's a slot worth spending.
- One page off on “database”. #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 · 1,489 days · wp.org + Plugin Pulse archive
30-day downloads
Rolling 30-day volume · peak 2.3K · 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
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
4mo ago
latest release · v1.2.11 · 10 Jul 2026
5
tagged releases on record
Recent releases
What its installed base runs
via wordpress.orgShare of active installs on each version of this plugin · 100% 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 “1K+”. Our estimate pins where the real number sits.
Crossed into this band 4.5 years ago; a band this size takes about a year or more to cross, which places it about 50% of the way through.
Install history since 31 Mar 2021
Recent reviews
All reviews on wp.org ↗- ★★★★★ leemon10mo ago
This plugin helped me to convert a database with a wild mix of collations to utf8mb4_unicode_ci. Thanks!
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ ingarb2.0y ago
Does EXACTLY what it says on the box 🙂 Worked great. Easy 5 star, and thanks to the developer for helping me out!
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ czombos2.2y ago
Perfec, just what I needed
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Alex 六十 Karpov2.7y ago
As simple as should!
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ kobzeci23.9y ago
Fixed my old wp installations db… Thank you.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ splaquet4.3y ago
Fixed up so many odd and random issues. Hard to believe that DB collation could be/was related to some of the oddball issues I was having… but I was certainly surprised & thrilled to see things working properly again!
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Eder Ribeiro5.4y ago
Simple and fast, thanks
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ macksix5.5y ago
I had “WordPress database error Illegal mix of collations (utf8_general_ci,IMPLICIT) and (utf8mb4_unicode_ci,COERCIBLE)” and this plugin fixed it. Thanks!
Read on wp.org ↗
Security history
via Wordfence IntelligenceAll 2 disclosed vulnerabilities are patched in the current version (1.2.11). Sites still on an older version should update.
- Patched Medium · 5.3 Database Collation Fix <= 1.2.10 - Unauthenticated SQL Injection via 'force-collation-algorithm' Parameter ↗2026-07-31 CVE-2026-15018 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command Affects <= 1.2.10 Patched in 1.2.11
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.
Behavioral tests
via WP HiveAutomated install-time checks, tested on PHP 8.1.12 · WP 7.0.1
Languages
via translate.wordpress.orgTranslated into 3 languages, 1 at 90% or more · development strings
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 27 Oct 2026Can an assistant quote this readme? Eight deterministic checks over the wp.org listing, no model involved.
- ✓ Says what it does "Convert tables using utf8mb4_unicode_520_ci or utf8_unicode_520_ci collation to a more portable Collation A..."
- ✓ Has a FAQ 3 questions in the FAQ.
- ✓ FAQ asks real questions 3 of 3 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.
- ! Headings and lists 0 headings and 0 lists; assistants quote headed sections and bullet lists, not paragraphs.
- ✓ Enough to quote 3,466 characters of description.
- ✓ Tags match the text All 4 tags appear in the text.
Growth timeline
Install-tier crossings we have observed, and how long each tier took to outgrow
- 2022-05-21 2K+ → 1K+ 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).
-
WP Synchro – The Ultimate WordPress Migration Tool 2K+ installs · 4.7★ · 2 shared tags B - I InstaMigrate 1K+ installs · 3.6★ · 2 shared tags
-
一介資男(Mxp.TW) 開發工具箱 100+ installs · 4.0★ · 2 shared tags B - M mPress Fix URL References 80+ installs · 3.8★ · 2 shared tags D
-
ByteFyre DB Replace 40+ installs · 4.2★ · 2 shared tags B -
SiteVault – Backup, Restore, Migration & Cloning 40+ installs · 3.6★ · 2 shared tags
Embed this report card
Drop a live Pulse card for Database Collation Fix into a readme, a review or a deck. It updates itself.
<iframe src="https://plugins.wpmayor.com/embed/database-collation-fix" width="480" height="300" style="border:0" loading="lazy" title="Database Collation Fix — Plugin Pulse"></iframe> Database Collation Fix: 1K+ active installs, 5.0★ (21 reviews). Plugin Pulse (WP Mayor), as of 2026-11-01. https://plugins.wpmayor.com/plugin/database-collation-fix
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