wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “oto”
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 “oto”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 3 of the top 16. 1 plugin is 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 the install base is organic or host-pushed, and its risk of being pulled.
Ranked above its merit
6Arshid Social Community shows at wp.org #9 but places #13 on merit, a gap of 4 places. Its — 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
Page Expiration Robot – Countdown Timer places #3 on merit, 4.2★ from 100 reviews, but shows at wp.org #16. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.
OTO – Shipping Gateway 100+ · 0.0★ (0) thin reviewslow rating, top placement
wp.org #1 2 
Easy Video Reviews – Testimonial Grid & Social Proof 100+ · 3.8★ (10) thin reviews
wp.org #4 2 too low 3 Page Expiration Robot – Countdown Timer 80+ · 4.2★ (100) closure risk
wp.org #16 ↓1 13 too low 4 
Multi Currency Switcher for WooCommerce 200+ · 5.0★ (1) thin reviews
wp.org #2 2 too high 5 
KSA National Address Validator 90+ · 0.0★ (0) thin reviewslow rating, top placement
wp.org #3 2 too high 6 
Post Kinds 100+ · 4.3★ (6) thin reviews
wp.org #13 ↓1 7 too low 7 
InvestorySpot Stock Ticker 10+ · 0.0★ (0) thin reviewslow rating, top placement
wp.org #5 2 too high 8 
VideoWhisper Cashtag Links — · 0.0★ (0) thin reviews
wp.org #6 2 too high 9 
007AJ SMTP Mailer — · 0.0★ (0) thin reviews
wp.org #7 2 too high 10 
VDot Email Delivery Manager — · 0.0★ (0) thin reviews
wp.org #8 ↓1 2 too high 11 
Postkeep – One Click SMTP Setup and Email Log — · 0.0★ (0) thin reviews
wp.org #10 ↓1 1 too high 12 
Personal Finance Manager – PN — · 0.0★ (0) thin reviews
wp.org #11 ↓1 1 too high 13 6Arshid Social Community — · 5.0★ (1) thin reviews
wp.org #9 ↓1 4 too high 14 
Motendo Widget — · 0.0★ (0) thin reviews
wp.org #12 ↓1 2 too high 15 
WP Snakemember Integration 20+ · 0.0★ (0) thin reviews
wp.org #14 ↓1 1 too high 16 
WP Tao One Time Offer 10+ · 0.0★ (0) closure risk thin reviews
wp.org #15 ↓1 1 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.