PDF Embedder – PDF Viewer & Embed PDF Files for WordPress
by Syed Balkhi · Blocks
Also makes 98 other plugins · 21.7M+ installs across the portfolio →
Embed PDF files in WordPress posts and pages with a responsive PDF viewer block, live Block Editor preview, and no third-party services.
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
300K+
≈390K estimated
Momentum
-7%
downloads vs prior 30d
Biggest opportunity: Swap “block” and “documents” for “third party” and “viewer”. “block” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “third party” sits at #6 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “documents” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #18. “viewer” sits at #7 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 2,524 Blocks plugins
Install conversion
How it's measured →5.3%
of downloads still active
At least 300K of 5.7M lifetime downloads are still running, above its category: the median Blocks plugin keeps 2.1%, across 1,579 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 4 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.
Well optimized
Most to gain: Support resolution
Updated 79 days ago
Tested up to WordPress 7.1.4, the current branch or newer
4.7★ over 529 reviews, smoothed to 4.65★
5 of 5 tags set · short description in place
0 of 3 support threads resolved in the last 2 months
To rank higher: Mark more forum threads resolved — the resolved ratio feeds the ranking.
Get the full rank-higher report →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.
34
Momentum
Losing ground
-0.8
Velocity
places per keyword, 28d
11%
Breadth
of keywords climbing, 28d
+0.2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| embed pdf your tag | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| pdf embedder | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| responsive pdf viewer | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| pdf your tag | #2 | #2 | up 1 |
| responsive pdf embed | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| pdf editor | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| pdf viewer your tag | #3 | #2 | down 1 |
| pdf block | #3 | #2 | down 1 |
| pdf tool | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| wordpress pdf plugin | #2 | #2 | up 1 |
| wp to pdf | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| wp pdf | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| wordpress pdf | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| pdf preview | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| pdf plugin | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| page to pdf | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| pages to pdf | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| pdf pages | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| post to pdf | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| posts to pdf | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| block your tag | Not in the top 24 | ||
313 searches this plugin appeared in over the last 90 days, 20 listed. 272 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
- Swap “block” and “documents” for “third party” and “viewer”. “block” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “third party” sits at #6 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “documents” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #18. “viewer” sits at #7 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. All five slots are taken, so one has to go.
- Slipping on “documents”. Down 7 places since 2026-09-18, now #18. Check what shipped around then, and what moved above you.
Daily downloads
Since 5 Oct 2022 · 1,488 days · wp.org + Plugin Pulse archive
30-day downloads
Rolling 30-day volume · peak 392.2K · 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.
4
releases in the last 12 months
3mo ago
latest release · v5.0.2 · 14 Aug 2026
47
tagged releases on record
Recent releases
What its installed base runs
via wordpress.orgShare of active installs on each version of this plugin · 49% 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 “300K+”. Our estimate pins where the real number sits.
Crossed into this band 6 years ago; the previous band took 18 months to cross, which places it about 90% of the way through.
Install history since 1 Mar 2021
Recent reviews
All reviews on wp.org ↗- ★★★★★ hyehudi4mo ago
Set-and-forget. TY for this plugin!
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ SED494mo ago
Очень нравится!
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ kjbullis4mo ago
Easy to use.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ valleywdc4mo ago
A simple way to display a PDF on a page.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ WC Barron4mo ago
I use the plugin pretty often to enhance my blog posts and engage my readers. I recommend it highly.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ mistifi5mo ago
Fonctionne bien
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ JesusDR5mo ago
I have been using pdf embedder, I find it very useful and very easy to use. It provides a comfortable view and feel to the users.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ astrgn5mo ago
Works very good. no issues at all. Used free version on a community web site and works very good. Thanks for the developer.
Read on wp.org ↗
Latest updates
via wp.org changelogRecent releases and news for this plugin
- — Version 5.0.1 Fixed: Occasional fatal errors that could be triggered during WordPress cron runs when other plugins (such as SEO indexers) parsed post content containing PDF Embedder. Fixed: A “source width is 0” JavaScript error that 5.0.1
- — Version 5.0.0 IMPORTANT: The minimum WordPress version has been raised to WordPress 6.6. IMPORTANT: The minimum PHP version has been raised to PHP 7.4. Added: Live PDF preview in the Block Editor that matches the front-end Viewer, wit 5.0.0
- — Version 4.9.3 Changed: Compatibility with WordPress 6.9. Changed: “Get Started” section in the plugin admin area can now be closed by clicking the same link in the plugin header again. Fixed: Adjust plugin links inside our block in th 4.9.3
- — Version 4.9.2 Changed: When just installed, the plugin was not saving its settings into the database upon activation. This caused the plugin to not work properly until the settings were saved at least once. Fixed: PDF Viewer Toolbar w 4.9.2
- — Version 4.9.1 Fixed: The PDF Embedder block performance was improved slightly in the Block Editor. Fixed: Toolbar was not visible when configured to be displayed on hover. Fixed: Make sure that PDF URL has the domain when requesting t 4.9.1
- — Version 4.9.0 IMPORTANT: The minimum WordPress version has been raised to WordPress 6.1. IMPORTANT: The minimum PHP version has been raised to PHP 7.2. Added: A new dismissible “Get Started” section was added to the plugin settings pa 4.9.0
Security history
via Wordfence IntelligenceAll 3 disclosed vulnerabilities are patched in the current version (5.0.2). Sites still on an older version should update.
- Patched Medium · 4.3 PDF Embedder <= 4.9.3 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Information Exposure via Block Editor Page ↗2026-05-27 CVE-2026-7526 Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor Affects <= 4.9.3 Patched in 5.0.0
- 2024-05-20 CVE-2024-4367 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 4.7.1 Patched in 4.8.0
- Patched Medium · 6.4 PDF Embedder <= 4.6.4 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting ↗2024-03-18 CVE-2024-29141 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 4.6.4 Patched in 4.7.1
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 128 languages, 8 at 90% or more
Plus 104 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 "Embed PDF files in WordPress posts and pages with a responsive PDF viewer block, live Block Editor preview,..."
- ✓ Has a FAQ 13 questions in the FAQ.
- ✓ FAQ asks real questions 13 of 13 read like questions a user would type.
- ! Names who it is for One audience phrase ("who needs"); say who the plugin is for and what they use it for.
- ✓ Names what it works with Mentions WooCommerce, Elementor, Block editor, LearnDash and 5 more.
- ✓ Headings and lists 7 headings and 5 lists.
- ✓ Enough to quote 8,013 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
- 2020-11-06 200K+ → 300K+ up after 545 days in tier
- 2019-05-11 100K+ → 200K+ up after 607 days in tier
- 2017-09-11 80K+ → 100K+ up after 191 days in tier
- 2017-03-04 50K+ → 80K+ up after 252 days in tier
- 2016-06-25 30K+ → 50K+ up after 144 days in tier
- 2016-02-02 20K+ → 30K+ up after 93 days in tier
- 2015-11-01 10K+ → 20K+ up after 118 days in tier
- 2015-07-06 7K+ → 10K+ up after 34 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).
-
PDF Poster – Let visitors read PDF’s without leaving the page 20K+ installs · 4.5★ · 3 shared tags A -
PDF Embed Block – share documents right inside your posts 4K+ installs · 4.1★ · 3 shared tags B -
Embed PDF Viewer 20K+ installs · 4.4★ · 2 shared tags A -
Pdf Embed 10K+ installs · 4.3★ · 2 shared tags B -
PDF viewer for Elementor & Gutenberg 10K+ installs · 4.1★ · 2 shared tags B -
Document Embedder – let visitors read files without downloading 9K+ installs · 4.8★ · 2 shared tags B
Embed this report card
Drop a live Pulse card for PDF Embedder – PDF Viewer & Embed PDF Files for WordPress into a readme, a review or a deck. It updates itself.
<iframe src="https://plugins.wpmayor.com/embed/pdf-embedder" width="480" height="300" style="border:0" loading="lazy" title="PDF Embedder – PDF Viewer & Embed PDF Files for WordPress — Plugin Pulse"></iframe> PDF Embedder – PDF Viewer & Embed PDF Files for WordPress: 300K+ active installs, 4.7★ (529 reviews). Plugin Pulse (WP Mayor), as of 2026-11-01. https://plugins.wpmayor.com/plugin/pdf-embedder
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