wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “custom relations”

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 “custom relations”, we and wp.org disagree on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 10 of the top 20. 4 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

Dynamic Fields Engine – Custom post types, Custom fields, Meta fields, Taxonomies, Listing builder, Query builder and Relations shows at wp.org #6 but places #21 on merit, a gap of 15 places. Its 3K+ installs carry it up the search order; its 0.0★ average from 0 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.

Buried gem

Related Posts for WordPress places #8 on merit, 4.6★ from 325 reviews, but shows at wp.org #15. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.

merit plugin signals wp.org

Intuitive Custom Post Order 400K+ · 4.4★ (139) wp.org #5 3 too low 3

Custom Field Template 30K+ · 4.0★ (24) thin reviews wp.org #3 4

Custom Block Builder – Lazy Blocks 20K+ · 4.9★ (80) wp.org #7 ↓1 3 too low 5 S Smart Custom Fields 50K+ · 4.9★ (21) heavy footprint thin reviews wp.org #4 1 too high 6

Wicked Folders – Folder Organizer for Pages, Posts, and Custom Post Types 20K+ · 4.9★ (56) wp.org #9 2 too low 8

Mailmunch Forms for Mailchimp 10K+ · 4.6★ (372) throws errorsnot PHP-current wp.org #11 2 too low 10

WP Extended Search 20K+ · 4.9★ (72) wp.org #16 ↓2 6 too low 11

W3 Relations Carousel for Elementor 90+ · 5.0★ (1) thin reviews wp.org #1 10 too high 12

OpenStation – Admin Dashboard Notes, Custom Dashboard, AI Assistant & PWA 1K+ · 5.0★ (23) heavy footprint thin reviews wp.org #12 13

PublishPress Permissions: Access Control, Content Permissions, User Access 10K+ · 4.3★ (66) wp.org #20 ↑3 7 too low 14

Better Post & Filter Widgets for Elementor 4K+ · 5.0★ (18) throws errorsnot PHP-current thin reviews wp.org #10 4 too high 15

Custom post types for WordPress – ACPT Lite 100+ · 4.9★ (24) throws errorsnot PHP-current thin reviews wp.org #13 2 too high 16

Product Slider, Product Grid, Product Masonry 9K+ · 4.3★ (86) wp.org #24 ↓2 8 too low 17

RPB Chessboard 1K+ · 4.8★ (20) thin reviews wp.org #19 ↓2 2 too low 18

Custom Post Carousels with Owl 2K+ · 4.6★ (17) thin reviews wp.org #18 ↓2 19

Button Block – Stylish buttons that get more clicks 5K+ · 5.0★ (7) not PHP-current thin reviews wp.org #14 ↓1 5 too high 20

HelpCrunch – Live Chat, Chatbot & Knowledge Base for Customer Service 2K+ · 5.0★ (6) thin reviews wp.org #21 ↓2 1 too low 21

Dynamic Fields Engine – Custom post types, Custom fields, Meta fields, Taxonomies, Listing builder, Query builder and Relations 3K+ · 0.0★ (0) thin reviews wp.org #6 ↑1 15 too high 22

Coding Chicken – JetEngine Importer 300+ · 5.0★ (3) thin reviews wp.org #17 5 too high 23

The Courier Guy Shipping for WooCommerce 4K+ · 3.1★ (23) throws errorsnot PHP-current thin reviews wp.org #23 ↓2 24

Reorder Terms 1K+ · 5.0★ (1) thin reviews wp.org #22 ↓2 2 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.