wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “link scanner”
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 “link scanner”, we and wp.org disagree on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 11 of the top 20. 5 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
Eli's PHP Compatibility Scanner shows at wp.org #10 but places #22 on merit, a gap of 12 places. Its 1K+ 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
301 Redirects – Redirect Manager places #11 on merit, 4.7★ from 578 reviews, but shows at wp.org #17. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.
Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security 5M+ · 4.7★ (5039) heavy footprint
wp.org #2 ↓1 1 too low 2 
Broken Link Checker 500K+ · 3.8★ (605) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #1 ↑1 1 too high 3 
Security Plugin, Firewall & Malware Scanner with Auto Removal 40K+ · 4.8★ (397)
wp.org #4 1 too low 4 
Sucuri Security – Auditing, Malware Scanner and Security Hardening 600K+ · 4.2★ (386) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #3 1 too high 5 
Defender Security – Malware Scanner, Login Security & Firewall 80K+ · 4.8★ (334)
wp.org #7 2 too low 6 
Vigilant – 100% Free Security Suite: Firewall, 2FA, Login, Headers, Scanner… 3K+ · 5.0★ (24) thin reviews
wp.org #5 1 too high 7 
Link Whisper Free 30K+ · 4.2★ (151)
wp.org #8 ↑1 1 too low 8 
MalCare WordPress Security Plugin – Malware Scanner, Cleaner, Security Firewall 100K+ · 4.4★ (559)
wp.org #13 ↑2 5 too low 9 
BetterLinks – Link Shortener, Link Cloaking, Redirects, Affiliate Link Manager & MCP 20K+ · 4.8★ (85)
wp.org #12 3 too low 10 
ThirstyAffiliates – Affiliate Links, Link Branding, Link Tracking & Marketing Plugin 30K+ · 4.6★ (251)
wp.org #15 ↓1 5 too low 11 301 Redirects – Redirect Manager 300K+ · 4.7★ (578)
wp.org #17 ↓1 6 too low 12 
Quttera ThreatSign – Web Malware Scanner for WordPress 10K+ · 3.9★ (47) not PHP-current
wp.org #6 6 too high 13 
External Links – nofollow, noopener & new window 80K+ · 4.3★ (247) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #9 ↓1 4 too high 14 
Kadence Security – Password, Two Factor Authentication, and Brute Force Protection 700K+ · 4.6★ (3992)
wp.org #22 8 too low 15 
CookieYes – Cookie Banner for Cookie Consent (Easy to setup GDPR/CCPA Compliant Cookie Notice) 1M+ · 4.8★ (3236)
wp.org #23 8 too low 16 
Event Tickets with Ticket Scanner 1K+ · 4.8★ (24) not PHP-current thin reviews
wp.org #11 ↓1 5 too high 17 
Security Optimizer – The All-In-One Protection Plugin 1M+ · 4.5★ (157)
wp.org #20 ↑1 3 too low 18 
SureCookie – GDPR Cookie Consent Banner, Cookie Scanner & Script Blocking 70K+ · 4.9★ (21) thin reviews
wp.org #18 19 
Broken Link Notifier 1K+ · 4.8★ (14) thin reviews
wp.org #14 ↓1 5 too high 20 
Barcode Scanner (+Mobile App) – Inventory manager, Order fulfillment system, POS (Point of Sale) 700+ · 5.0★ (52) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #21 ↓1 1 too low 21 
WPScan – WordPress Security Scanner 8K+ · 3.8★ (28)
wp.org #19 2 too high 22 Eli's PHP Compatibility Scanner 1K+ · 5.0★ (2) thin reviews
wp.org #10 ↑1 12 too high 23 
DevDome Malware Scanner – WordPress Malware Removal & Security Scanner 300+ · 5.0★ (2) thin reviews
wp.org #16 ↑1 7 too high 24 
Dead Link Checker – SEO and 404 error Fix 80+ · 5.0★ (1) thin reviews
wp.org #24 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.