wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “listing plugin”
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 “listing plugin”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 8 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
WPC Coupon Listing for WooCommerce shows at wp.org #9 but places #22 on merit, a gap of 13 places. Its 1K+ installs carry it up the search order; its 4.7★ average from 3 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.
Buried gem
Security Plugin, Firewall & Malware Scanner with Auto Removal places #7 on merit, 4.8★ from 397 reviews, but shows at wp.org #12. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.
Business Directory Plugin – Easy Listing & Member Directories for WordPress 10K+ · 4.6★ (504)
wp.org #1 ↑2 2 
UpdraftPlus: WP Backup & Migration Plugin 4M+ · 4.8★ (8708)
wp.org #3 ↓1 1 too low 3 
Classified Listing – AI-Powered Classified ads & Business Directory 9K+ · 4.8★ (138) not PHP-current
wp.org #2 ↓1 1 too high 4 
GeoDirectory – WP Business Directory Plugin and Classified Listings Directory 10K+ · 4.8★ (716) heavy footprint
wp.org #4 5 
HivePress – Business Directory, Listings & Classified Ads Plugin 10K+ · 4.9★ (222)
wp.org #6 ↑5 1 too low 6 
Ultimate Member – User Profile, Registration, Login, Member Directory, Content Restriction & Membership Plugin 200K+ · 4.4★ (1445)
wp.org #10 4 too low 7 Security Plugin, Firewall & Malware Scanner with Auto Removal 40K+ · 4.8★ (397)
wp.org #12 ↑6 5 too low 8 
BackWPup – WordPress Backup & Restore Plugin 400K+ · 4.0★ (1323) not PHP-current
wp.org #8 ↑1 9 
Motors – Car Dealership & Classified Listings Plugin 9K+ · 4.5★ (79) throws errorsnot PHP-currentheavy footprint
wp.org #5 4 too high 10 
Directorist: AI-Powered Business Directory, Listings & Classified Ads 20K+ · 4.6★ (698) not PHP-current
wp.org #14 ↓2 4 too low 11 
GiveWP – Donation Plugin and Fundraising Platform 100K+ · 4.6★ (708) throws errorsnot PHP-currentheavy footprint
wp.org #11 ↓4 12 
WP Maps – Google Maps, OpenStreetMap, Mapbox, Store Locator with Search, Filters & Listings 60K+ · 4.3★ (122) throws errorsnot PHP-currentheavy footprint
wp.org #7 ↓1 5 too high 13 
Speed Optimizer – The All-In-One Performance-Boosting Plugin 1M+ · 4.2★ (641)
wp.org #15 ↓1 2 too low 14 
HireZoot – Job Listings, Career Page & Recruitment Tool 30K+ · 4.8★ (194)
wp.org #22 ↓1 8 too low 15 
Realtyna Organic IDX plugin + WPL Real Estate 1K+ · 4.7★ (203)
wp.org #21 ↓1 6 too low 16 
Security Optimizer – The All-In-One Protection Plugin 1M+ · 4.5★ (157)
wp.org #16 17 
Plugin Check (PCP) 10K+ · 4.5★ (36)
wp.org #13 4 too high 18 
AWP Classifieds 3K+ · 4.6★ (301) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #18 19 
Easy Property Listings 5K+ · 4.7★ (112) not PHP-current
wp.org #19 20 
Auto Listings – Car Listings & Car Dealership Plugin for WordPress 2K+ · 4.3★ (31)
wp.org #20 ↓1 21 
Tabbed Category Product Listing for Woocommerce 1K+ · 4.9★ (28) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #17 4 too high 22 WPC Coupon Listing for WooCommerce 1K+ · 4.7★ (3) throws errorsnot PHP-current thin reviews
wp.org #9 ↓1 13 too high 23 
MLSImport: IDX Plugin & MLS Plugin for Real Estate Listings 5K+ · 4.2★ (5) throws errorsnot PHP-current thin reviews
wp.org #23 ↓8 24 
Classified Listing Toolkits 4K+ · 0.0★ (0) throws errorsnot PHP-current thin reviews
wp.org #24 ↓2 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.