NGG Smart Image Search

How well this listing is tuned to rank in WordPress.org search, on the factors an owner controls. Not popularity, optimization.

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

How often this plugin actually ships. A steady rhythm is the maintenance signal a single "last updated" date can't show.

Share of active installs on each version of this plugin. Green is the current release; a big slice on older versions is a user base that has stopped updating.

Refined from the date this plugin crossed into its current band.

No paid tier is visible, so we don't put a figure on revenue or sale value: that would be guessing. The install base is a real asset to an acquirer, just not one public data lets us price. A small install base leaves thin data to model from. The recent download trend is too spiky to read.

1. ★★★★★ simongarrett

   2.6y ago

   Really great plugin, I’ve been using it for several years. The new v3.2.0 now works with block themes. We use it for a photo archive (around 2,000 images) where search is invaluable. This topic was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by simongarrett. This topic was modified 2 years, 4 months ago by simongarrett. Reason: Updated to reflect v3.2.0

   Read on wp.org ↗
2. ★★★★★ Cristian

   3.9y ago

   For me the search function of images is the most important feature of NGG but the official search results are quite limited compared of what this plugin offers. If you need search your image tags and use and, or and exclude keywords from a seearch this plugin is a life saver.

   Read on wp.org ↗
3. ★★★★★ aaronlkh

   4.3y ago

   It’s actually an understatement to say that this plug-in is a powerful complement to NGG. It’s what makes NGG more than just a gallery plug-in and in fact indispensable to NGG users, at least to me anyway. Thanks for creating this plug-in!

   Read on wp.org ↗
4. ★★★★★ zebra812

   5.5y ago

   Best search engine for NGG

   Read on wp.org ↗
5. ★★★★★ Dan Bollinger

   5.9y ago

   What NGG has been needing all along!

   Read on wp.org ↗
6. ★★★★★ ernstwg

   6.4y ago

   every day you can find new search options. The magic of a well thought and developed tool. Thanks so much.

   Read on wp.org ↗
7. ★★★★★ eckiku

   7.6y ago

   Habe lange gesucht. Ideales plugin für die Bildersuche.

   Read on wp.org ↗
8. ★★★★★ richardcostin

   8.9y ago

   Adds what should be built in functionality to the NGG gallery plugin in a simple and effective way. Worked well and support was quick and resolved my one small issue (which was slight user error).

   Read on wp.org ↗

5 disclosed vulnerabilities on record for this plugin, all fixed in the current version. Sites on older versions stay exposed until they update.

1. High · 7.5 NGG Smart Image Search < 4.0.0 - Unauthenticated SQL Injection ↗
   2026-08-19 CVE-2026-73185 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') Affects < 4.0.0 Patched in 4.0.0
2. Medium · 6.4 NGG Smart Image Search <= 3.4.3 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting ↗
   2025-09-22 CVE-2025-58027 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') Affects <= 3.4.3 Patched in 4.0.0
3. High · 7.5 NGG Smart Image Search <= 3.4.1 - Unauthenticated SQL Injection ↗
   2025-07-01 CVE-2025-52832 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') Affects <= 3.4.1 Patched in 3.4.3
4. Medium · 6.4 NGG Smart Image Search <= 3.3.3 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting ↗
   2025-05-07 CVE-2025-47503 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') Affects <= 3.3.3 Patched in 3.4.1
5. Medium · 6.4 NGG Smart Image Search <= 3.2.1 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting ↗
   2025-02-11 CVE-2024-13658 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') Affects <= 3.2.1 Patched in 3.3.2

Automated install-time checks, tested on PHP 8.1.12 · WP 6.8.1

Translated into 3 languages, 1 at 90% or more

Growth timeline

Install-tier crossings we have observed, and how long each tier took to outgrow

1. 2025-11-24 500+ → 400+ down after 3 days in tier
2. 2025-11-21 400+ → 500+ up after 3 days in tier
3. 2025-11-18 500+ → 400+ down after 743 days in tier
4. 2023-11-06 600+ → 500+ down after 2 days in tier
5. 2023-11-04 500+ → 600+ up after 5 days in tier
6. 2023-10-30 600+ → 500+ down after 369 days in tier
7. 2022-10-26 500+ → 600+ up after 6 days in tier
8. 2022-10-20 600+ → 500+ down after 1 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).

• Ivory Search – WordPress Search Plugin 100K+ installs · 4.9★ · 1 shared tag A
• NextGEN Gallery Optimizer 1K+ installs · 3.4★ · 1 shared tag F
• N NextGEN Custom Fields 1K+ installs · 4.3★ · 1 shared tag D
• Smart Search & Product Filter for WooCommerce – Searchanise 900+ installs · 4.3★ · 1 shared tag A
• Import to Photo Gallery from NextGen gallery 400+ installs · 3.8★ · 1 shared tag D
• A Advanced Custom Fields: NextGEN Gallery Field add-on 400+ installs · 3.3★ · 1 shared tag F

Embed this report card

Drop a live Pulse card for NGG Smart Image Search into a readme, a review or a deck. It updates itself.

NGG Smart Image Search: 400+ active installs, 4.9★ (13 reviews). Plugin Pulse (WP Mayor), as of 2026-08-29. https://plugins.wpmayor.com/plugin/ngg-smart-image-search