Image Widget
by Nexcess · Admin & Utilities
Also makes 23 other plugins · 2.6M+ installs across the portfolio →
A simple image widget that uses the native WordPress media manager to add image widgets to your site.
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
100K+
≈150K estimated
Momentum
+1%
downloads vs prior 30d
Biggest opportunity: Swap “ad”, “banner” and “image” for “widget logic”, “multi widget” and “widget titles”. “ad” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “widget logic” sits at #12 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “banner” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “multi widget” sits at #13 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “image” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “widget titles” sits at #16 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. All five slots are taken, so one has to go.
87 health vs 56 average across 5,896 Admin & Utilities plugins
Install conversion
How it's measured →2.1%
of downloads still active
At least 100K of 4.7M lifetime downloads are still running, above its category: the median Admin & Utilities plugin keeps 0.6%, across 4,186 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.
Excellent listing optimization
Well tuned across the board
Updated 194 days ago, past the ~180 days where wp.org starts discounting
Tested up to WordPress 6.7.11; the current branch is 6.8
4.9★ over 287 reviews, smoothed to 4.78★
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
-0.3
Velocity
places per keyword, 28d
14%
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| image widget | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| image banner sidebar | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| widget image | #5 | #5 | 0 |
| ad widget | #9 | #6 | 0 |
| image upload widget | #6 | #6 | 0 |
| upload image in widget | #7 | #7 | 0 |
| widget logic | #12 | #9 | up 1 |
| multi widget | #13 | #9 | up 2 |
| sidebar image | #8 | #7 | — |
| ad banner widget | #8 | #6 | down 1 |
| simple image | #20 | #14 | 0 |
| widget titles | #16 | #12 | 0 |
| wordpress image widget | #10 | #11 | down 2 |
| responsive image widget | #10 | #10 | 0 |
| sidebar login widget | #11 | #10 | down 1 |
| tab widget | #19 | #14 | 0 |
| tabs widget | #19 | #14 | up 1 |
| widget only | #20 | #16 | 0 |
| image source by image id | #12 | #10 | — |
| fixed widget | #20 | #15 | down 2 |
| ad your tag | Not in the top 24 | ||
| banner your tag | Not in the top 24 | ||
| image your tag | Not in the top 24 | ||
| sidebar your tag | Not in the top 24 | ||
| widget your tag | Not in the top 24 | ||
153 searches this plugin appeared in over the last 90 days, 20 listed. 121 left out as unrelated or noise (years, numbers, stray words). 5 of its tags aren't in the top 24 for their own search.
What to do about it
- Swap “ad”, “banner” and “image” for “widget logic”, “multi widget” and “widget titles”. “ad” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “widget logic” sits at #12 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “banner” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “multi widget” sits at #13 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “image” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “widget titles” sits at #16 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. All five slots are taken, so one has to go.
Daily downloads
Since 5 Oct 2022 · 1,488 days · wp.org + Plugin Pulse archive
30-day downloads
Rolling 30-day volume · peak 76.3K · 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
6mo ago
latest release · v4.4.12 · 20 Apr 2026
72
tagged releases on record
Recent releases
What its installed base runs
via wordpress.orgShare of active installs on each version of this plugin · 91% 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 “100K+”. Our estimate pins where the real number sits.
Crossed into this band 3.1 years ago; the previous band took 2.5 years to cross, which places it about 50% of the way through.
Install history since 22 Jul 2021
Recent reviews
All reviews on wp.org ↗- ★★★★★ mdavego4.3y ago
This is perfect image widget. Thank you very much for such helpful solution.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ vollachr6.3y ago
I like this image widget plugin, certainly better than the default one, also works with some external lightbox plugins, so that’s a bonus. Also, it works without a problem on WordPress v5.4.2.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ jimgwin7.3y ago
This is very nice plugin! Thank you for your work! Everything work fast without any problems.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ AATEA8.3y ago
Crott
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ surfintica8.9y ago
sort of pointless to have a image widget that has a image that is not responsive Thanks but I would rather not be forced to purchase to get a basic 2017 function
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ UNIT079.6y ago
I had to spend 30mins hardcodding your plugin to add a class field to the img, because I wanted the image shaking and to have my JS working I had to add a specific class name. So basically that’s what’s missing in my opinion to make this perfect. 🙂 You can even add 2 fields, one to add a class for link and other for the image. For you this is something that will take you like 15 minutes and it’s a good upgrade. 🙂 If you do that, I will change my rating to 5 stars! 😉
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ madcomm9.7y ago
Great plugin for beginners and experts alike. Install it, add it as a widget to the side bar, select your image, enter your information, save it and you’re all done.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Anonymous9.7y ago
‘Lite & Easy’ and does a great job!
Read on wp.org ↗
Latest updates
via wp.org changelogRecent releases and news for this plugin
- 2026-04-20 Version 4.4.12 Security – Add escaping to image attributes. 4.4.12
- 2024-11-20 Version 4.4.11 Security – Prevent old Image URL from being misused for XSS attacks. 4.4.11
- 2023-05-30 Version 4.4.10 Fix – Prevent weird bugs around widget_title not having all the expected arguments. Tweak – Add documentation for a few filters. 4.4.10
- 2022-06-05 Version 4.4.9 Tweak – Updating WordPress compatibility, tested up to 6.6.2. Tweak – Remove references to Image Widget Plus and Notices. 4.4.9
- 2022-05-06 Version 4.4.8 Tweak – Updating WordPress compatibility. 4.4.8
- 2017-11-02 Version 4.4.7 Feature – Added new Link Title field and filter to improve tooltip (previously used alt text) (thanks @marklcm) [89993] Tweak – Added new image_widget_option_defaults hook to improve customizability (props @svandragt) [# 4.4.7
Security history
via Wordfence IntelligenceAll 2 disclosed vulnerabilities are patched in the current version (4.4.12). Sites still on an older version should update.
- 2026-03-17 CVE-2026-42643 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 4.4.11 Patched in 4.4.12
- 2024-11-22 CVE-2024-10939 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 4.4.10 Patched in 4.4.11
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 80 languages, 30 at 90% or more
Plus 56 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 "A simple image widget that uses the native WordPress media manager to add image widgets to your site."
- ✓ Has a FAQ 6 questions in the FAQ.
- ✓ FAQ asks real questions 6 of 6 read like questions a user would type.
- ! Names who it is for One audience phrase ("use this"); say who the plugin is for and what they use it for.
- ! Names what it works with Names no plugin, service or platform it works with.
- ✓ Headings and lists 7 headings and 1 list.
- ✓ Enough to quote 5,185 characters of description.
- ✓ Tags match the text 3 of 5 tags appear in the text; "banner", "sidebar" do not.
Growth timeline
Install-tier crossings we have observed, and how long each tier took to outgrow
- 2023-09-19 200K+ → 100K+ down after 922 days in tier
- 2021-03-11 300K+ → 200K+ down after 618 days in tier
- 2019-07-02 400K+ → 300K+ down after 516 days in tier
- 2018-02-01 500K+ → 400K+ down after 450 days in tier
- 2016-11-08 400K+ → 500K+ up
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).
- N Newpost Catch 9K+ installs · 4.1★ · 3 shared tags A
-
Image Widget 3K+ installs · 3.8★ · 3 shared tags C -
Ad Widget for WordPress 2K+ installs · 4.1★ · 3 shared tags C -
Recent Posts Widget With Thumbnails 100K+ installs · 4.8★ · 2 shared tags A -
Custom Sidebars – Dynamic Sidebar Classic Widget Area Manager 100K+ installs · 4.7★ · 2 shared tags A -
Fixed Widget and Sticky Elements for WordPress 70K+ installs · 4.7★ · 2 shared tags D
Embed this report card
Drop a live Pulse card for Image Widget into a readme, a review or a deck. It updates itself.
<iframe src="https://plugins.wpmayor.com/embed/image-widget" width="480" height="300" style="border:0" loading="lazy" title="Image Widget — Plugin Pulse"></iframe> Image Widget: 100K+ active installs, 4.9★ (287 reviews). Plugin Pulse (WP Mayor), as of 2026-10-31. https://plugins.wpmayor.com/plugin/image-widget
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