Highlighting Code Block
by LOOS · Blocks
Also makes 5 other plugins · 121.1K+ installs across the portfolio →
Add code block with syntax highlighting using prism.js. (Available for Gutenberg and Classic 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 87/100
no flags
Active installs
10K+
≈15K estimated
Momentum
-7%
downloads vs prior 30d
Biggest opportunity: One page off on “code”. #11 puts you just past the first ten results, where almost all the clicks stop. The gap to close is small.
87 health vs 71 average across 2,526 Blocks plugins
Install conversion
How it's measured →5.0%
of downloads still active
At least 10K of 198.1K lifetime downloads are still running, above 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 123 days ago
Tested up to WordPress 7.0.8, the current branch or newer
4.5★ over 20 reviews, smoothed to 4.21★ and held back under 25 reviews
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.
31
Momentum
Losing ground
-1.0
Velocity
places per keyword, 27d
5%
Breadth
of keywords climbing, 27d
-0.5
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| highlighting | #1 | #2 | 0 |
| code block your tag | #2 | #3 | 0 |
| code highlighting | #2 | #4 | down 1 |
| syntax highlighting your tag | #6 | #11 | down 2 |
| block code | #3 | #6 | 0 |
| highlighting syntax | #3 | #4 | 0 |
| highlight your tag | #9 | #17 | down 3 |
| code your tag | #11 | #20 | 0 |
| code blocks | #8 | #13 | down 1 |
| code highlight | #5 | #9 | 0 |
| code syntax | #7 | #10 | down 2 |
| wordpress code highlight | #9 | #14 | 0 |
| syntax | #22 | #21 | down 5 |
| syntax highlight | #12 | #12 | down 3 |
| no code | #13 | #19 | 0 |
| code editor | #23 | #23 | down 1 |
| gutenberg block copy | #23 | #16 | 0 |
| gutenberg your tag | Not in the top 24 | ||
45 searches this plugin appeared in over the last 90 days, 17 listed. 28 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
- One page off on “code”. #11 puts you just past the first ten results, where almost all the clicks stop. The gap to close is small.
- “gutenberg” isn't earning a slot. You list it, but you're not in the first 24 results for that search. WordPress.org counts only your first five tags, so free the slot for a search you can win.
- Already on top for “highlighting”. #1 without listing it. A tag would change little there; your slots are better spent on a search you don't yet win.
Daily downloads
Since 5 Oct 2022 · 1,489 days · wp.org + Plugin Pulse archive
30-day downloads
Rolling 30-day volume · peak 13.1K · 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
4mo ago
latest release · v2.2.1 · 1 Jul 2026
40
tagged releases on record
Recent releases
What its installed base runs
via wordpress.orgShare of active installs on each version of this plugin · 48% 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 18 months 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 4 Feb 2021
Recent reviews
All reviews on wp.org ↗- ★★★★★ liuliu662.6y ago
在寻求关于此问题的帮助时，您可能需要提供以下信息：WordPress 版本 6.5.2目前启用的主题：Vikinger – BuddyPress Social Community（1.9.9.4.2 版本）当前插件：Highlighting Code Block（版本 2.0.1）PHP 版本 8.1.27 错误详情============错误类型 E_ERROR 发生在文件 /www/wwwroot/1.14.58.204/wp-content/plugins/highlighting-code-block/class/loos_hcb_menu.php 的 140 行。错误信息：Uncaught ValueError: Unknown format specifier “�” in /www/wwwroot/1.14.58.204/wp-content/plugins/highlighting-code-block/class/loos_hcb_menu.php:140Stack trace:#0 /www/wwwroot/1.14.58.204/wp-content/plugins/highlighting-code-block/class/loos_hcb_menu.php(140): sprintf()#1 /www/wwwroot/1.14.58.204/wp-includes/class-wp-hook.php(324): {closure}()#2 /www/wwwroot/1.14.58.204/wp-includes/class-wp-hook.php(348): WP_Hook->apply_filters()#3 /www/wwwroot/1.14.58.204/wp-includes/plugin.php(517): WP_Hook->do_action()#4 /www/wwwroot/1.14.58.204/wp-admin/admin.php(175): do_action()#5 /www/wwwroot/1.14.58.204/wp-admin/plugins.php(10): require_once(‘…’)#6 {main}thrown
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ sazone2.6y ago
read code easily
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ ishere2.9y ago
Very thanks!
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Rouzbeh Zarei3.0y ago
Unfortunately, the plugin doesn’t support Java, Kotlin, Flutter nor XML syntax, making it completely useless for anyone in the Android development field.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Anonymous User 202877233.3y ago
I don’t normally use WP Blocks and so I could not figure out why this plugin broke for certain code syntax (PHP -> HTML -> PHP for example) and why saving sometimes broke the previously-saved syntax. Maddening. Then I switched back to the block editor. AHA! It works beautifully. That’s probably why it says “Block” in the plugin name, duh. Thank you very much for this wonderful plugin. I love that we can also upload our own prism.js files. Cool.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Muhammad Zohaib3.7y ago
Exactly what I was looking for. thanks alot!
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Shihab Ul Hoque3.9y ago
The plugin developer and the plugin itself are very good. Wish them all the best. Being a developer takes a huge time, effort, money & sacrifice. If you’re a user of this plugin like me, do not just leave your negative feedback unless you talked to the support. Also, if you were a backbencher like me and if you’re still a backdated who uses an older version of PHP (just like me), please feel free to use this plugin with peace of mind. Enjoy! This topic was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by Shihab Ul Hoque. This topic was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by Shihab Ul Hoque.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Ibrahim Sharif4.0y ago
Thanks for the amazing work. Please work on the Performance like Asset Size and try to merge them into a single JS and CSS.
Read on wp.org ↗
Latest updates
via wp.org changelogRecent releases and news for this plugin
- — Version 2.2.1 Security: Fixed a stored XSS vulnerability via the plugin settings. 2.2.1
- — Version 2.2.0 Support for WordPress 7.0. 2.2.0
- — Version 2.1.3 Fixed an issue where there was a discrepancy in the structure of the build files. 2.1.3
- — Version 2.1.2 Support for WordPress 6.9. 2.1.2
- — Version 2.1.1 Support for WordPress 6.8. 2.1.1
- — Version 2.1.0 Support for WordPress 6.7. 2.1.0
Security history
via Wordfence IntelligenceThe 1 disclosed vulnerability is patched in the current version (2.2.1). Sites still on an older version should update.
- Patched Medium · 4.4 Highlighting Code Block <= 2.2.0 - Authenticated (Administrator+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via 'font_family' Setting ↗2026-07-09 CVE-2026-12108 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 2.2.0 Patched in 2.2.1
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.
Languages
via translate.wordpress.orgTranslated into 6 languages, 3 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
5 of 8 pass · checked 26 Oct 2026Can an assistant quote this readme? Eight deterministic checks over the wp.org listing, no model involved.
- ✓ Says what it does "Add code block with syntax highlighting using prism.js. (Available for Gutenberg and Classic Editor)"
- ! Has a FAQ No FAQ section.
- ! FAQ asks real questions No FAQ to judge.
- ! Names who it is for Never says who the plugin is for or what they use it for.
- ✓ Names what it works with Mentions Block editor.
- ✓ Headings and lists 6 headings and 2 lists.
- ✓ Enough to quote 1,335 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
- 2025-05-13 20K+ → 10K+ down after 69 days in tier
- 2025-03-05 10K+ → 20K+ up after 1159 days in tier
- 2022-01-01 9K+ → 10K+ up after 38 days in tier
- 2021-11-24 8K+ → 9K+ up after 84 days in tier
- 2021-09-01 7K+ → 8K+ up after 91 days in tier
- 2021-06-02 6K+ → 7K+ up after 47 days in tier
- 2021-04-16 5K+ → 6K+ up after 71 days in tier
- 2021-02-04 4K+ → 5K+ up after 90 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).
- S SyntaxHighlighter Evolved 20K+ installs · 4.3★ · 2 shared tags C
-
Code Prettify 1K+ installs · 4.6★ · 2 shared tags A -
Greenshift Smart Code AI 1K+ installs · 4.0★ · 2 shared tags C -
Classic Editor 8M+ installs · 4.9★ · 1 shared tag A -
WPCode – Insert Headers and Footers + Custom Code Snippets – WordPress Code Manager 3M+ installs · 4.9★ · 1 shared tag A - C Classic Widgets 2M+ installs · 4.8★ · 1 shared tag B
Embed this report card
Drop a live Pulse card for Highlighting Code Block into a readme, a review or a deck. It updates itself.
<iframe src="https://plugins.wpmayor.com/embed/highlighting-code-block" width="480" height="300" style="border:0" loading="lazy" title="Highlighting Code Block — Plugin Pulse"></iframe> Highlighting Code Block: 10K+ active installs, 4.5★ (20 reviews). Plugin Pulse (WP Mayor), as of 2026-11-01. https://plugins.wpmayor.com/plugin/highlighting-code-block
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