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

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 “layered”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 8 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

Classic Addons – WPBakery Page Builder shows at wp.org #9 but places #21 on merit, a gap of 12 places. Its 3K+ installs carry it up the search order; its 5.0★ average from 1 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.

Buried gem

Points Management System For Gamification, Ranks, Badges, and Loyalty Rewards Program – myCred places #10 on merit, 4.6★ from 472 reviews, but shows at wp.org #21. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.

merit plugin wp.org
1 Quttera ThreatSign – Web Malware Scanner for WordPress 10K+ · 3.9★ (47) wp.org #1 2 Ultimate Addons for Elementor – Widgets, Templates, WooCommerce & Header Footer Builder 2M+ · 4.9★ (2528) wp.org #4 ↑2 2 too low 3 Hide Posts 20K+ · 4.7★ (22) wp.org #2 1 too high 4 HappyAddons for Elementor – 160 Elementor Widgets, GSAP Animations & Templates 400K+ · 4.8★ (489) wp.org #3 1 too high 5 Defender Security – Malware Scanner, Login Security & Firewall 80K+ · 4.8★ (334) wp.org #6 ↓1 1 too low 6 Ultimate Post Kit – Elementor Post Grid, Post Carousel, Post Slider & Blog Layout Widgets 30K+ · 4.8★ (58) wp.org #5 ↓1 1 too high 7 Vigilant – 100% Free Security Suite: Firewall, 2FA, Login, Headers, Scanner… 3K+ · 5.0★ (24) wp.org #8 ↑2 1 too low 8 If-So Dynamic Content – Elementor & All Page Builders Personalization 7K+ · 4.7★ (92) wp.org #15 ↑1 7 too low 9 aBlocks – Gutenberg Blocks, User Dashboard Builder, Popup Builder, Form Builder & Animation Builder 2K+ · 5.0★ (26) wp.org #12 ↑1 3 too low 10 Points Management System For Gamification, Ranks, Badges, and Loyalty Rewards Program – myCred 10K+ · 4.6★ (472) wp.org #21 ↓14 11 too low 11 MKL Product Configurator for WooCommerce – 2D & 3D Live Preview 2K+ · 4.8★ (42) wp.org #10 ↓1 1 too high 12 My Private Site – Make Your Whole Site Private, Force Login & Block Registration Spam 10K+ · 4.5★ (82) wp.org #17 ↑1 5 too low 13 FluentComments – AJAX Comments, Anti-Spam & Comment Email Notifications 700+ · 4.3★ (6) wp.org #7 ↑1 6 too high 14 Print Page Block – make any page printable in one click 1K+ · 4.9★ (7) wp.org #14 ↑1 15 Sense Forms 200+ · 4.9★ (10) wp.org #23 8 too low 16 Atlant Security 700+ · 5.0★ (8) wp.org #22 6 too low 17 Pixel Gallery Addons for Elementor 4K+ · 4.8★ (5) wp.org #16 ↑1 1 too high 18 Easy Tabs Block – Smart, Lightweight & Responsive Tabs for the Block Editor 1K+ · 5.0★ (5) wp.org #24 6 too low 19 UiCore Blocks – Free WordPress Gutenberg Blocks 500+ · 3.7★ (3) wp.org #11 ↑1 8 too high 20 Composite Products – Conditional Images 200+ · 5.0★ (2) wp.org #18 ↑1 2 too high 21 Classic Addons – WPBakery Page Builder 3K+ · 5.0★ (1) wp.org #9 ↑2 12 too high 22 Block Widgets Monster 30+ · 5.0★ (2) wp.org #20 ↑1 2 too high 23 EffortLess Layered Menu Visibility — · 0.0★ (0) wp.org #13 ↑1 10 too high 24 Wow Sliders Addons for Elementor 30+ · 5.0★ (1) wp.org #19 ↑1 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.