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

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 “rwd”, we and wp.org disagree on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 14 of the top 20. 8 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

Newebpay Payment shows at wp.org #3 but places #12 on merit, a gap of 9 places. Its 600+ 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.

R

Buried gem

Responsive Image Maps places #9 on merit, 4.9★ from 64 reviews, but shows at wp.org #22. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.

merit plugin wp.org
1 WPBot – AI ChatBot for Live Support, Lead Generation, WordPress Automation, AI Services 5K+ · 4.7★ (124) wp.org #4 3 too low 2 Simple Link Directory – AI Powered 2K+ · 4.8★ (121) wp.org #9 7 too low 3 LIQUID RWD Plus 300+ · 5.0★ (2) wp.org #1 2 too high 4 MyCryptoCheckout – Bitcoin, Ethereum, and 100+ altcoins for WooCommerce 8K+ · 4.3★ (49) wp.org #5 1 too low 5 AI ChatBot for WooCommerce – WoowBot 1K+ · 4.8★ (19) wp.org #6 1 too low 6 Autopay dla WooCommerce 1K+ · 4.0★ (4) wp.org #2 4 too high 7 AI Infographic Maker 600+ · 4.4★ (17) wp.org #7 ↑1 8 M Magic Liquidizer Responsive Table 5K+ · 4.7★ (54) wp.org #13 5 too low 9 R Responsive Image Maps 3K+ · 4.9★ (64) wp.org #22 13 too low 10 Just Responsive Images 500+ · 4.4★ (7) wp.org #8 ↓1 2 too high 11 A AllWebMenus WordPress Menu Plugin 10+ · 3.7★ (12) wp.org #17 6 too low 12 Newebpay Payment 600+ · 5.0★ (1) wp.org #3 9 too high 13 Express Shop for WooCommerce Product Table 10+ · 4.6★ (5) wp.org #12 1 too high 14 W Wiwitness Testimonials 10+ · 4.3★ (3) wp.org #24 10 too low 15 M Mobile Navigation Menu 60+ · 3.8★ (5) wp.org #19 4 too low 16 一介資男(Mxp.TW) 開發工具箱 100+ · 5.0★ (1) wp.org #10 6 too high 17 ThemeREX Auto Dealer 10+ · 0.0★ (0) wp.org #14 ↑1 3 too high 18 Viral Buy for Me for WooCommerce Increase Sales 10+ · 5.0★ (1) wp.org #11 7 too high 19 X XMPP Statistics 20+ · 0.0★ (0) wp.org #15 ↓1 4 too high 20 W WP Responsive Media — · 3.7★ (3) wp.org #23 3 too low 21 C Customizer Responsive Server-Side Components Device Preview 70+ · 0.0★ (0) wp.org #18 3 too high 22 WP Responsive Web Design Capture 10+ · 0.0★ (0) wp.org #16 6 too high 23 M Magic Liquidizer Responsive Form 20+ · 5.0★ (1) wp.org #20 3 too high 24 M Magic Liquidizer Responsive Navigationbar 20+ · 5.0★ (1) wp.org #21 3 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.