Search & Filter

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

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.

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.

173 searches this plugin appeared in over the last 90 days, 20 listed. 113 left out as unrelated or noise (years, numbers, stray words). 3 of its tags aren't in the top 24 for their own search.

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 · 100% run the current release. Green is the current release; a big slice on older versions is a user base that has stopped updating.

Crossed into this band 11 days ago and the previous band took 13 months to cross, so the real count is still just under 50K.

1. ★★★★★ Tess

   4mo ago

   Initially, it was a bit of a learning curve to get this plugin working on a Divi website, but with the amazing help from the support team we had our query up and running in no time! It’s so slick and smooth, we’re very pleased with the end result. Thank you Search and Filter team!

   Read on wp.org ↗
2. ★★★★★ shinji

   9mo ago

   We were using version 2.X.The instructions on how to change the settings to version 3.X are insufficient and unclear. In addition, when upgrading from 2.X to 3.X, a database error occurs (in secret/incognito mode on a local environment).This issue does not occur when logged in to the WordPress admin dashboard. [Unknown column ‘cache_group’ in ‘field list’]SELECT id, cache_group, cache_key, cache_value, format, expiresFROM wp_search_filter_cacheWHERE cache_group = ‘query_cache_1’AND cache_key = ‘XXX’AND expires >= 1770536379LIMIT 1 If there were a proper migration feature from version 2.X, I would rate this plugin ★4.However, since there is no migration functionality, I feel it deserves ★0. I do not recommend this plugin.I recommend using a different plugin instead. This topic was modified 5 months, 1 week ago by shinji.

   Read on wp.org ↗
3. ★★★★★ saksaksak

   12mo ago

   I tried to test the starter (free) version of the plugin with Kadence theme. It is great that is supports filtering via custom taxonomies. The UI of the plugin is outdated. The only way to define filtering fields is via shortcode, although the plugin detects and prepares a shortcode for you just to copy and use. There is a submit button. I am sure there is a way to disable is via shortcode which I have not investigated. Styling seems to be only possible with CSS. By this time, I had decided not to proceed with this plugin, thus I have not investigated for potential integration with other post grid plugins (Advanced Post Block etc). On the bright side, it is written that version 3.0 is in development. If the free version keeps supporting custom taxonomies ( I am worried some past reviews mentioning retraction of existing functionality in newer versions), if supports Gutenberg blocks, if provides a comtemporary UI, with some styling support on UI and possibility to add the filter in a side column as a block etc, I shall definitely look into it again. Maybe it is a good plugin, but not for me. Tested version: 1.2.18 This topic was modified 8 months, 1 week ago by saksaksak. This topic was modified 8 months, 1 week ago by saksaksak. Reason: Tested version number added This topic was modified 8 months, 1 week ago by saksaksak. Reason: Removed theme compatibility issue which I suspect is to do my definitions This topic was modified 8 months, 1 week ago by saksaksak. Reason: Completely deleted irrelevant theme compatibility mention

   Read on wp.org ↗
4. ★★★★★ lisalindeman

   1.3y ago

   I had an odd problem, which was certain posts and pages appearing in results despite not containing the search term. I submitted a support ticket and got a quick response. Their support was extremely helpful. They were communicative, not just parroting a generic help section. They bumped me up to advanced tech support, and someone literally went into our site and looked at how the plugin was interacting with our content. We got it fixed. I wish I’d reached out to them sooner. I’m happy with the functionality and grateful for their help. IMHO, good tech support is hard to find. They were top notch!

   Read on wp.org ↗
5. ★★★★★ chavesd

   1.4y ago

   What reasonable person would think version 3 is an upgrade from version 2? Version 2 was a much better solution that i was using in production. Now i have abandon the plugin and start over because someone thought regressing the product was a good roadmap. i seriously cant wrap my head around that business decision.

   Read on wp.org ↗
6. ★★★★★ mikeyinglis

   1.6y ago

   Rare to have direct support from plugin developers but the support we received was exceptional, that’s how you go from 2/3 stars to 5!

   Read on wp.org ↗
7. ★★★★★ pcarqueville

   1.8y ago

   I’ve been a long time user of this plugin. With the jump from version 2 to 3 the devs of this plugin severly cut down on features that the plugin formerly offered.In version two, the plugin made you build “search forms”. Here you would for example drag and drop and “text search” field and then decide what data should be searched, for example title, content and all taxonomies.Since version 3, when you create a text search field, you have three separate choices that you CANNOT COMBINE: you can text search in post attributes OR taxonomy (singular, not plural) OR Custom Field (again, ONE Field, not all fields).There is NO WAY to search post titles, content, taxonomy terms within the same search field.Imagine you have a shop for smarty pants, for which you have two taxonomies: color and size.With search and filter, with the text search, you can either let the user search for sizes OR for colors but NEVER BOTH.I am baffled how this is still considered a good plugin.

   Read on wp.org ↗
8. ★★★★★ jaessi

   2.0y ago

   I am impressed not only in the functionality, but the willingness of the developer to address my unique issues and develop solutions in conjunction with third-party plugin use. Support this plugin, you will not be disappointed.

   Read on wp.org ↗

Recent releases and news for this plugin

1. — Version 1.2.18 Security enhancement – prevent unauthorised redirects when submitting the form. 1.2.18
2. — Version 1.2.17 Fixed – PHP notice about frmqreserved not being initialised. Bump – version number + tested upto. 1.2.17
3. — Version 1.2.16 Fixed – a potential security issue with escaping Fixed – add support for block editor themes which don’t use get_header() Fixed – prefixed classes to avoid conflicts with other plugins + themes 1.2.16
4. — Version 1.2.15 Fixed – a PHP 8 warning when using the taxonomy walker class – thanks @jules-colle + @superthin 1.2.15
5. — Version 1.2.14 Admin notice added – Version 3 is coming soon – beta testers wanted + tons of improvements and changes coming – make sure you know what’s in store. Update docs URLs Fix – an issue with an element self closing in the mult 1.2.14
6. — Version 1.2.13 Fix – a PHP warning when using Beaver Builder 1.2.13

All 2 disclosed vulnerabilities are patched in the current version (1.2.18). Sites still on an older version should update.

1. Patched Medium · 4.3 Search & Filter <= 1.2.17 - Cross-Site Request Forgery ↗
   2025-10-07 CVE-2025-48099 Cross-Site Request Forgery Affects <= 1.2.17 Patched in 1.2.18
2. Patched Medium · 6.4 Search & Filter <= 1.2.15 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via Shortcode ↗
   2022-12-27 CVE-2022-4467 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 1.2.15 Patched in 1.2.16

Automated install-time checks, tested on PHP 8.1.12 · WP 6.8.3

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.

Growth timeline

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

1. 2026-10-21 50K+ → 40K+ down after 391 days in tier
2. 2025-09-25 60K+ → 50K+ down after 1 days in tier
3. 2025-09-24 50K+ → 60K+ up after 3 days in tier
4. 2025-09-21 60K+ → 50K+ down after 4 days in tier
5. 2025-09-17 50K+ → 60K+ up after 1 days in tier
6. 2025-09-16 60K+ → 50K+ down after 7 days in tier
7. 2025-09-09 50K+ → 60K+ up after 1 days in tier
8. 2025-09-08 60K+ → 50K+ down after 4 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).

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Drop a live Pulse card for Search & Filter into a readme, a review or a deck. It updates itself.

Search & Filter: 40K+ active installs, 4.5★ (175 reviews). Plugin Pulse (WP Mayor), as of 2026-11-01. https://plugins.wpmayor.com/plugin/search-filter