wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “windows”
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 “windows”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 14 of the top 20.
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
Microsoft Azure Storage for WordPress shows at wp.org #9 but places #19 on merit, a gap of 10 places. Its 2K+ installs carry it up the search order; its 3.9★ average from 14 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.
Buried gem
Floating Chat Widget: Contact Chat Icons, Telegram Chat, Line Messenger, WeChat, Email, SMS, Call Button – Chaty places #11 on merit, 5.0★ from 1244 reviews, but shows at wp.org #18. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.
External Links – nofollow, noopener & new window 80K+ · 4.3★ (247)
wp.org #1 2 
Widgets for Google Reviews 1M+ · 4.9★ (2667)
wp.org #5 ↑3 3 too low 3 
Ocean Modal Window 10K+ · 4.8★ (11) thin reviews
wp.org #2 1 too high 4 
External Links in New Window / New Tab 30K+ · 4.5★ (77)
wp.org #4 5 
Favicon by RealFaviconGenerator 200K+ · 4.9★ (802)
wp.org #8 ↓1 3 too low 6 
WP Store Locator 40K+ · 4.8★ (312)
wp.org #7 ↑4 1 too low 7 
Photo Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and Themes – NextGEN Gallery 300K+ · 4.3★ (4342)
wp.org #10 ↑1 3 too low 8 
Modal Window – create popup modal window 10K+ · 3.8★ (36)
wp.org #3 5 too high 9 
XML Sitemap Generator for Google 1M+ · 4.8★ (2233)
wp.org #12 ↓2 3 too low 10 
MaxButtons – Create buttons 70K+ · 4.9★ (1093)
wp.org #15 ↑1 5 too low 11 Floating Chat Widget: Contact Chat Icons, Telegram Chat, Line Messenger, WeChat, Email, SMS, Call Button – Chaty 300K+ · 5.0★ (1244)
wp.org #18 ↑5 7 too low 12 
Accessibility New Window Warnings 1K+ · 4.8★ (17) thin reviews
wp.org #6 6 too high 13 
NinjaFirewall (WP Edition) – Advanced Security Plugin and Firewall 100K+ · 4.9★ (220)
wp.org #16 3 too low 14 
Popup Box – Create Countdown, Coupon, Video, Contact Form Popups 40K+ · 4.6★ (82)
wp.org #14 15 
Media Library Assistant 70K+ · 4.8★ (202)
wp.org #20 5 too low 16 
Joinchat – Enhanced “click to chat” 700K+ · 4.7★ (189)
wp.org #17 ↑1 1 too low 17 
Click to Chat – HoliThemes 600K+ · 4.8★ (131)
wp.org #23 6 too low 18 
Next Active Directory Integration 2K+ · 4.8★ (16) thin reviews
wp.org #13 ↑2 5 too high 19 Microsoft Azure Storage for WordPress 2K+ · 3.9★ (14) thin reviews
wp.org #9 ↑4 10 too high 20 
WP Video Lightbox 30K+ · 4.3★ (67)
wp.org #24 ↑1 4 too low 21 
MetaSlider Gallery – Image Gallery, Lightbox Galleries, Video Galleries 10K+ · 4.4★ (9) thin reviews
wp.org #11 ↓1 10 too high 22 
WP Content Copy Protection with Color Design 5K+ · 4.5★ (25)
wp.org #22 ↑1 23 
YITH WooCommerce Quick View 80K+ · 3.8★ (27)
wp.org #21 ↑1 2 too high 24 
WP Open Comment Links in New Window 100+ · 4.3★ (4) thin reviews
wp.org #19 ↑1 5 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.