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wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “categorized”

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 “categorized”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 16 of the top 20. 3 plugins are 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 it throws errors on current PHP, whether the install base is organic or host-pushed, and its risk of being pulled.

Ranked above its merit

WP Consent API shows at wp.org #6 but places #19 on merit, a gap of 13 places. Its 200K+ installs carry it up the search order; its 5.0★ average from 2 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.

Buried gem

FileBird – WordPress Media Library Folders & File Manager places #2 on merit, 4.7★ from 1125 reviews, but shows at wp.org #7. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.

merit plugin wp.org
1 Categorized Tag Cloud 1K+ · 3.8★ (10) wp.org #1 2 FileBird – WordPress Media Library Folders & File Manager 200K+ · 4.7★ (1125) wp.org #7 5 too low 3 The Post Grid – Shortcode, Gutenberg Blocks and Elementor Addon for Post Grid 100K+ · 4.8★ (265) wp.org #8 5 too low 4 Advanced Import 80K+ · 4.4★ (7) wp.org #3 1 too high 5 E Expanding Archives 3K+ · 4.7★ (6) wp.org #4 1 too high 6 Smart Coupons For WooCommerce Coupons 30K+ · 4.7★ (133) wp.org #11 ↑7 5 too low 7 CookieAdmin – Cookie Consent Banner 400K+ · 5.0★ (4) wp.org #2 5 too high 8 Timeline Block For Gutenberg 9K+ · 4.4★ (11) wp.org #5 3 too high 9 Lightbox slider – Responsive Lightbox Gallery 3K+ · 4.7★ (24) wp.org #14 5 too low 10 Product Catalog Simple 1K+ · 4.5★ (13) wp.org #13 ↓1 3 too low 11 Contact List – Online Staff Directory & Address Book 1K+ · 4.8★ (19) wp.org #17 ↓1 6 too low 12 System Dashboard 900+ · 4.9★ (16) wp.org #12 ↓1 13 Restaurant Menu and Food Ordering 2K+ · 4.5★ (15) wp.org #10 3 too high 14 WP User Groups 600+ · 4.3★ (6) wp.org #9 5 too high 15 Magazine Blocks – Blog Designer, Magazine & Newspaper Website Builder, Page Builder with Posts Blocks, Post Grid 6K+ · 4.9★ (11) wp.org #18 ↓1 3 too low 16 Responsive Starter Templates – Elementor Templates & Starter Sites 10K+ · 4.5★ (39) wp.org #20 4 too low 17 PHP Compatibility Checker 200K+ · 2.7★ (131) wp.org #22 5 too low 18 Manager for IcoMoon 400+ · 5.0★ (5) wp.org #15 ↓2 3 too high 19 WP Consent API 200K+ · 5.0★ (2) wp.org #6 13 too high 20 Passwords Manager 70+ · 5.0★ (5) wp.org #21 1 too low 21 Cookiez – GDPR & CCPA Cookie Banner & Consent Manager 50K+ · 4.3★ (4) wp.org #24 3 too low 22 GoPrayer 300+ · 5.0★ (1) wp.org #16 ↓1 6 too high 23 JT Media Folders 40+ · 5.0★ (1) wp.org #23 24 Archives by Category and Date 80+ · 2.5★ (2) wp.org #19 5 too high

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.