wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “linux”
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 “linux”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 10 of the top 20.
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 the install base is organic or host-pushed, and its risk of being pulled.
Ranked above its merit
QR payment for WooCommerce shows at wp.org #6 but places #19 on merit, a gap of 13 places. Its 400+ 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
Auto-Install Free SSL – Generate & Install Free SSL Certificates places #9 on merit, 4.9★ from 405 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.
Widgets for Google Reviews 1M+ · 4.9★ (2667)
wp.org #1 2 
NinjaFirewall (WP Edition) – Advanced Security Plugin and Firewall 100K+ · 4.9★ (220)
wp.org #2 3 
EWWW Image Optimizer 1M+ · 4.8★ (1842)
wp.org #3 4 
Fast Velocity Minify 30K+ · 4.6★ (195)
wp.org #4 5 
WP Encryption: Easy HTTPS / SSL & Free SSL certificate, HTTPS redirect 50K+ · 4.9★ (1146)
wp.org #12 ↓2 7 too low 6 
WP Console – WordPress PHP Console powered by PsySH 20K+ · 5.0★ (21) thin reviews
wp.org #5 1 too high 7 
WP Server Health Stats 9K+ · 4.8★ (110)
wp.org #8 1 too low 8 
WPTerm 4K+ · 5.0★ (15) thin reviews
wp.org #7 1 too high 9 Auto-Install Free SSL – Generate & Install Free SSL Certificates 8K+ · 4.9★ (405)
wp.org #21 ↓8 12 too low 10 
Widgets for Booking.com Reviews 9K+ · 4.9★ (65)
wp.org #14 ↓2 4 too low 11 
Widgets for Airbnb Reviews 6K+ · 4.6★ (60)
wp.org #13 ↑1 2 too low 12 
WP Tripadvisor Review Widgets 20K+ · 4.1★ (116)
wp.org #16 ↑2 4 too low 13 
Widgets for Reviews & Recommendations 8K+ · 4.6★ (98)
wp.org #18 ↑2 5 too low 14 
NinjaScanner – Virus & Malware scan 40K+ · 4.0★ (36)
wp.org #11 3 too high 15 
Correios Automático – Rastreio, Frete, Etiqueta, Declaração e Devolução 4K+ · 5.0★ (90)
wp.org #24 ↓5 9 too low 16 
Conditional Display for Mobile – Mobile Detect Plugin 1K+ · 5.0★ (7) thin reviews
wp.org #9 7 too high 17 
Print Anywhere & Create PDFs of Order Receipts, Invoices, Labels & More. 1K+ · 4.7★ (18) thin reviews
wp.org #19 ↑3 2 too low 18 
Proxy Cache Purge 50K+ · 4.4★ (26)
wp.org #22 ↑2 4 too low 19 QR payment for WooCommerce 400+ · 5.0★ (1) thin reviews
wp.org #6 13 too high 20 
Widgets for Thumbtack Reviews 900+ · 5.0★ (3) thin reviews
wp.org #20 ↑3 21 
Ressources 60+ · 4.0★ (4) thin reviews
wp.org #17 4 too high 22 
WP SPID Italia 100+ · 4.2★ (5) thin reviews
wp.org #23 ↓2 1 too low 23 
OPcache Reset 500+ · 4.0★ (1) thin reviews
wp.org #10 ↓1 13 too high 24 
Image Protection 200+ · 5.0★ (1) thin reviews
wp.org #15 9 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.