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

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 “vcard”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 10 of the top 20. 3 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

Master QR Code Generator – Fast & Easy QR Code Solution shows at wp.org #7 but places #15 on merit, a gap of 8 places. Its 400+ installs carry it up the search order; its 3.0★ average from 3 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.

Buried gem

Starbox – the Author Box for Humans places #5 on merit, 4.5★ from 203 reviews, but shows at wp.org #15. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.

merit plugin wp.org
1 QR code MeCard/vCard generator 2K+ · 4.5★ (8) wp.org #1 2 Unlimited Elements for Elementor 300K+ · 4.8★ (525) wp.org #8 6 too low 3 Team Members – A WordPress Team Plugin with Gallery, Grid, Carousel, Slider, Table, List, and More 2K+ · 4.7★ (91) wp.org #6 3 too low 4 Qyrr – simply and modern QR-Code creation 2K+ · 3.8★ (21) wp.org #4 5 Starbox – the Author Box for Humans 10K+ · 4.5★ (203) wp.org #15 ↓1 10 too low 6 Enable virtual card upload – vcf,vcard 7K+ · 4.0★ (4) wp.org #2 4 too high 7 QR Code Composer – Automatic QR code generation 3K+ · 4.2★ (9) wp.org #3 4 too high 8 Business Card Block – present your team and contact info in style 1K+ · 4.3★ (4) wp.org #5 3 too high 9 QRcdr – Frontend Generator for Custom and Dynamic QR Codes 20+ · 5.0★ (3) wp.org #11 2 too low 10 Mini Cart for WooCommerce – Side Cart & Fast Checkout 600+ · 3.6★ (5) wp.org #10 ↓1 11 S Safe Report Comments 100+ · 3.0★ (7) wp.org #13 2 too low 12 Smart Contact Card 100+ · 0.0★ (0) wp.org #9 ↑1 3 too high 13 Wallet Up – Cash App, Venmo, PayPal, Zelle & QR Code Payments 200+ · 5.0★ (1) wp.org #12 1 too high 14 EffortLess QR Code Generator 30+ · 0.0★ (0) wp.org #16 2 too low 15 Master QR Code Generator – Fast & Easy QR Code Solution 400+ · 3.0★ (3) wp.org #7 8 too high 16 QR Code Generator & Scanner – Dynamic QR Codes for WordPress 80+ · 0.0★ (0) wp.org #18 2 too low 17 Unlimited Elements Blocks Library 500+ · 5.0★ (1) wp.org #17 18 DesignYourQR – QR Code Generator — · 0.0★ (0) wp.org #22 4 too low 19 Business Card Template 60+ · 0.0★ (0) wp.org #23 ↓1 4 too low 20 Code and core – Smart Image Ratio 50+ · 0.0★ (0) wp.org #24 ↓1 4 too low 21 EpassCard – Apple & Google Wallet Passes for Loyalty, Memberships, Events & Gift Cards 20+ · 5.0★ (1) wp.org #20 1 too high 22 QR Code Management 20+ · 5.0★ (1) wp.org #14 ↑1 8 too high 23 Flex QR Code Generator 90+ · 0.0★ (0) wp.org #19 4 too high 24 Campus Directory – Faculty, Staff & Student Directory Plugin for WordPress 80+ · 3.0★ (2) 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.