wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “buttom”
wp.org orders by popularity, so a plugin a host bundled onto millions of sites, or a big-brand one that's slow and mediocre, can sit at the top. Our ranking is built to answer a different question: which of these is actually worth installing. How this works →
For “buttom”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 8 of the top 18. 1 plugin is pushed down for signals wp.org ignores: errors, a host-installed base, or removal risk.
wp.org search ranks on
Install count (uncapped), the raw star average, freshness, and support. Popularity dominates, so the biggest install base usually wins regardless of how it got there.
We add
A cap on the install boost, volume-weighted ratings, and signals wp.org can't see: whether the install base is organic or host-pushed, and its risk of being pulled.
Ranked above its merit
Custom top bar shows at wp.org #3 but places #11 on merit, a gap of 8 places. Its 50+ installs carry it up the search order; its 3.0★ average from 2 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.
Buried gem
Simple Social Media Share Buttons – Social Sharing for Everyone places #2 on merit, 4.8★ from 194 reviews, but shows at wp.org #6. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.
Elements Hive for Breakdance 1K+ · 5.0★ (19) thin reviews
wp.org #1 2 Simple Social Media Share Buttons – Social Sharing for Everyone 20K+ · 4.8★ (194)
wp.org #6 4 too low 3 
Image Slider 4K+ · 3.4★ (31) low rating, top placement
wp.org #2 1 too high 4 
WP Travel – Ultimate Travel Booking System, Tour Management Engine 3K+ · 4.7★ (164)
wp.org #7 3 too low 5 
Consolto Video Chat 200+ · 5.0★ (44)
wp.org #9 4 too low 6 S SpiceBox 20K+ · 3.8★ (4) thin reviews
wp.org #5 1 too high 7 
Catalog for Woocommerce 1K+ · 4.5★ (6) closure risk thin reviewsstale but ranked
wp.org #10 3 too low 8 
FrontBlocks Site Tools 500+ · 5.0★ (3) thin reviews
wp.org #8 9 
Magic Buttons for Elementor 10+ · 0.0★ (0) thin reviewslow rating, top placement
wp.org #4 5 too high 10 
WP Scarcity Jeet – Powerful scarcity and urgency timer for your landing pages 10+ · 5.0★ (6) closure risk thin reviews
wp.org #15 5 too low 11 Custom top bar 50+ · 3.0★ (2) thin reviewslow rating, top placement
wp.org #3 8 too high 12 
Seris Order Manager (PDF Receipts and Packing Slips) 10+ · 5.0★ (2) thin reviews
wp.org #11 1 too high 13 
Dima Take Action 200+ · 0.0★ (0) closure risk thin reviews
wp.org #13 14 
Simple removal of posted images — · 0.0★ (0) closure risk thin reviews
wp.org #14 15 
BEW Menu Cart 90+ · 5.0★ (1) closure risk thin reviews
wp.org #12 3 too high 16 G Google Plusone(+1) Button 10+ · 0.0★ (0) closure risk thin reviews
wp.org #16 17 E Easy ToolBox 10+ · 0.0★ (0) closure risk thin reviews
wp.org #17 18 W wp-unit 10+ · 0.0★ (0) closure risk thin reviews
wp.org #18 Merit ranking caps the install boost at 1M (wp.org leaves it uncapped), replaces the raw star average with a volume-weighted Bayesian score and a Wilson lower bound, and keeps wp.org's own freshness and compatibility decays. Method from the plugin-directory source; see Meta Trac #8298. Positions are tracked daily from the first visit to a keyword, so the small arrows show movement since tracking began.