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

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 “idx”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 11 of the top 20. 9 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

Lofty IDX shows at wp.org #13 but places #24 on merit, a gap of 11 places. Its 70+ installs carry it up the search order; its 1.0★ average from 2 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.

Buried gem

Estatik Real Estate Plugin places #3 on merit, 4.6★ from 187 reviews, but shows at wp.org #11. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.

merit plugin wp.org
1 IMPress for IDX Broker 7K+ · 3.1★ (34) wp.org #1 2 Realtyna Organic IDX plugin + WPL Real Estate 1K+ · 4.7★ (203) wp.org #9 7 too low 3 Estatik Real Estate Plugin 10K+ · 4.6★ (187) wp.org #11 8 too low 4 Showcase IDX Real Estate Search & Lead Capture 2K+ · 3.8★ (35) wp.org #3 1 too high 5 Optima Express IDX 10K+ · 3.2★ (45) wp.org #5 6 Flexmls® IDX Plugin 1K+ · 3.5★ (22) wp.org #4 2 too high 7 Rover IDX 200+ · 4.8★ (24) wp.org #6 1 too high 8 MLSImport: IDX Plugin & MLS Plugin for Real Estate Listings 5K+ · 5.0★ (3) wp.org #2 6 too high 9 WP Directory Kit 2K+ · 4.9★ (35) wp.org #18 9 too low 10 Buying Buddy IDX CRM – Real Estate MLS Plugin 500+ · 5.0★ (6) wp.org #7 3 too high 11 SimplyRETS Real Estate IDX 200+ · 4.9★ (8) wp.org #10 1 too high 12 Houzez Property Feed 1K+ · 4.7★ (11) wp.org #16 4 too low 13 Diverse Solutions IDX Real Estate Listings & MLS Search 1K+ · 3.2★ (66) wp.org #15 2 too low 14 VistaWP – IDX Feeds for Page Builders 10+ · 5.0★ (2) wp.org #17 3 too low 15 My IDX Home Search 100+ · 5.0★ (1) wp.org #8 7 too high 16 Apex IDX 50+ · 5.0★ (1) wp.org #12 4 too high 17 Web4Realty IDX 80+ · 0.0★ (0) wp.org #14 ↓1 3 too high 18 AeroIDX – Real Estate IDX Search, MLS Listings & Lead Capture — · 0.0★ (0) wp.org #20 2 too low 19 P Personal SEO Crosslinking — · 0.0★ (0) wp.org #21 2 too low 20 IDXExpress – Listings Pro — · 0.0★ (0) wp.org #22 2 too low 21 Easy MLS Listings Import 100+ · 0.0★ (0) wp.org #19 2 too high 22 ESM Consumer Evaluation — · 0.0★ (0) wp.org #23 1 too low 23 PeakIDX Real Estate Search & Lead Generation — · 0.0★ (0) wp.org #24 1 too low 24 Lofty IDX 70+ · 1.0★ (2) wp.org #13 ↑1 11 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.