wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “google maps”
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 “google maps”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 11 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
Google for WooCommerce shows at wp.org #5 but places #17 on merit, a gap of 12 places. Its 800K+ installs carry it up the search order; its 2.7★ average from 268 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.
Buried gem
The Events Calendar places #11 on merit, 4.2★ from 2461 reviews, but shows at wp.org #20. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.
Widgets for Google Reviews 1M+ · 4.9★ (2667)
wp.org #1 2 
WP Go Maps – Google Map, OpenStreetMap, Leaflet Map 300K+ · 4.8★ (3055) not PHP-current
wp.org #2 ↓1 3 
Easy Google Maps by Supsystic – Custom Markers, Clustering & Map Themes 20K+ · 4.6★ (251)
wp.org #3 4 
MapPress – Google Maps, OpenStreetMap & Leaflet 30K+ · 4.7★ (147)
wp.org #4 5 
Maps Widget for Google Maps 20K+ · 4.6★ (512)
wp.org #6 1 too low 6 
Rich Showcase for Google Reviews 100K+ · 4.9★ (1623)
wp.org #13 ↑5 7 too low 7 
API KEY for Google Maps 30K+ · 4.9★ (55)
wp.org #7 ↓2 8 
Complianz GDPR/CCPA Cookie Consent Banner 1M+ · 4.7★ (1668)
wp.org #14 ↓5 6 too low 9 
Maps Plugin using Google Maps for WordPress – WP Google Map 10K+ · 4.8★ (172)
wp.org #16 ↓1 7 too low 10 
All in One SEO – AI SEO Plugin to Boost SEO Rankings & Traffic (Schema, Local SEO, Sitemap & SEO Insights) 2M+ · 4.7★ (5231) not PHP-currentheavy footprint
wp.org #15 ↓1 5 too low 11 The Events Calendar 600K+ · 4.2★ (2461)
wp.org #20 ↑2 9 too low 12 
WP Maps – Google Maps, OpenStreetMap, Mapbox, Store Locator with Search, Filters & Listings 60K+ · 4.3★ (122) throws errorsnot PHP-currentheavy footprint
wp.org #8 ↓1 4 too high 13 
Simple Shortcode for Google Maps 3K+ · 4.6★ (46)
wp.org #11 ↓2 2 too high 14 
W3 Total Cache 900K+ · 4.4★ (5420)
wp.org #23 9 too low 15 
Map Block for Google Maps 20K+ · 4.6★ (21) thin reviews
wp.org #9 ↑2 6 too high 16 
WP Store Locator 40K+ · 4.8★ (312)
wp.org #24 ↑1 8 too low 17 Google for WooCommerce 800K+ · 2.7★ (268) throws errorsnot PHP-current low rating, top placement
wp.org #5 ↓3 12 too high 18 
Mapster WP Maps 3K+ · 4.9★ (54) heavy footprint
wp.org #18 19 
Ultimate Maps by Supsystic – OpenStreetMap, Leaflet & Mapbox, No API Key 10K+ · 4.6★ (86) not PHP-current
wp.org #19 ↓8 20 
Very Simple Google Maps 3K+ · 4.5★ (17) thin reviews
wp.org #12 ↓2 8 too high 21 
exovia GDPR Google Maps 4K+ · 4.6★ (11) thin reviews
wp.org #10 ↓2 11 too high 22 
MapSVG – Vector maps, Image maps, Google Maps 1K+ · 4.5★ (31)
wp.org #17 ↓1 5 too high 23 
Basic Google Maps Placemarks 2K+ · 4.4★ (51) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #21 ↓3 2 too high 24 M Map Block 6K+ · 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.