wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “smarty”
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 “smarty”, we and wp.org disagree on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 12 of the top 20. 6 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
Open Links Directory shows at wp.org #5 but places #17 on merit, a gap of 12 places. Its 10+ installs carry it up the search order; its 1.8★ average from 8 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.
Buried gem
PDF Builder for WooCommerce. Create invoices,packing slips and more places #2 on merit, 4.7★ from 145 reviews, but shows at wp.org #9. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.
CodeColorer 1K+ · 4.9★ (11) thin reviews
wp.org #2 1 too low 2 PDF Builder for WooCommerce. Create invoices,packing slips and more 2K+ · 4.7★ (145)
wp.org #9 7 too low 3 
LAPDI Easy Dev Framework 100+ · 5.0★ (1) thin reviews
wp.org #1 2 too high 4 
Smart Search & Product Filter for WooCommerce – Searchanise 900+ · 4.4★ (43) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #10 6 too low 5 P PrestaShop Integration 90+ · 4.6★ (13) throws errorsnot PHP-currentclosure risk thin reviewsstale but ranked
wp.org #8 3 too low 6 B Better File Editor 300+ · 4.7★ (17) closure risk thin reviews
wp.org #15 9 too low 7 
WooCommerce Address Autocomplete and Validation — · 0.0★ (0) thin reviewslow rating, top placement
wp.org #3 4 too high 8 
Smart eGift Card — · 5.0★ (2) thin reviews
wp.org #6 2 too high 9 
LAPDI Featured Categories 10+ · 4.0★ (4) thin reviews
wp.org #11 2 too low 10 
Copernicus 10+ · 0.0★ (0) throws errorsnot PHP-current thin reviewslow rating, top placement
wp.org #4 6 too high 11 
WPBetterCodeHighlighting — · 0.0★ (0) thin reviews
wp.org #7 4 too high 12 W WP-SynHighlight 100+ · 4.6★ (5) throws errorsnot PHP-currentclosure risk thin reviews
wp.org #16 4 too low 13 
hiWeb Core 10+ · 4.8★ (4) throws errorsnot PHP-currentclosure risk thin reviews
wp.org #20 7 too low 14 
iG:Syntax Hiliter 30+ · 5.0★ (1) thin reviews
wp.org #12 2 too high 15 W WP-Gistpen 10+ · 5.0★ (1) closure risk thin reviews
wp.org #13 2 too high 16 
Pablo Career 10+ · 4.0★ (1) closure risk thin reviews
wp.org #18 2 too low 17 O Open Links Directory 10+ · 1.8★ (8) throws errorsnot PHP-current thin reviewslow rating, top placement
wp.org #5 12 too high 18 C CodeHighlighter 10+ · 0.0★ (0) throws errorsnot PHP-currentclosure risk thin reviews
wp.org #21 3 too low 19 
PayGreen Impact 10+ · 2.0★ (1) throws errorsnot PHP-currentclosure risk thin reviews
wp.org #14 5 too high 20 S Smarty Slick Tab — · 1.0★ (1) closure risk thin reviews
wp.org #17 3 too high 21 L LinkedIn Profile Synchronizer Tool 10+ · 1.0★ (1) closure risk thin reviews
wp.org #19 2 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.