wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “wpdatatables”
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 “wpdatatables”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 9 of the top 17. 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
wpDataTables integration for Forminator Forms shows at wp.org #2 but places #11 on merit, a gap of 9 places. Its 1K+ installs carry it up the search order; its 5.0★ average from 2 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.
Buried gem
Bit integrations – Form Integration, Webhook, Spreadsheets, CRM, LMS & Email Automation places #6 on merit, 4.9★ from 160 reviews, but shows at wp.org #12. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.
wpDataTables – WordPress Data Table, Dynamic Tables & Table Charts Plugin 60K+ · 4.5★ (449)
wp.org #1 2 
Booking for Appointments and Events Calendar – Amelia 90K+ · 4.6★ (793)
wp.org #5 3 too low 3 
WPGet API – Connect to any external REST API 10K+ · 5.0★ (32)
wp.org #3 4 
Visual Composer Website Builder 30K+ · 4.6★ (220) heavy footprint
wp.org #6 2 too low 5 
Popups for Divi 100K+ · 4.8★ (442)
wp.org #9 4 too low 6 Bit integrations – Form Integration, Webhook, Spreadsheets, CRM, LMS & Email Automation 20K+ · 4.9★ (160)
wp.org #12 ↑1 6 too low 7 
The Innovative Form Builder – IvyForms 1K+ · 5.0★ (9) thin reviews
wp.org #4 3 too high 8 
Contact Form & SMTP Plugin for WordPress by PirateForms 30K+ · 4.7★ (223) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #10 ↑1 2 too low 9 
Bit Flows: AI Agent Automation & Integrations for Forms, CRM, eCommerce, Google Sheets, and More 1K+ · 4.9★ (64)
wp.org #13 ↓1 4 too low 10 
Copy Anything to Clipboard for WordPress – Copy Button, Copy Text & Copy Code 10K+ · 4.5★ (36)
wp.org #14 4 too low 11 wpDataTables integration for Forminator Forms 1K+ · 5.0★ (2) throws errorsnot PHP-current thin reviews
wp.org #2 9 too high 12 
Jeg Kit for Elementor – Powerful Addons for Elementor, Widgets & Templates for WordPress 300K+ · 3.8★ (79) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #11 ↓1 1 too high 13 
Data source CiviCRM api for wpDataTable 10+ · 0.0★ (0) closure risk thin reviewsstale but ranked
wp.org #8 5 too high 14 
Media Usage Tracker 30+ · 3.0★ (2) thin reviews
wp.org #7 7 too high 15 
BaraTables — · 0.0★ (0) thin reviews
wp.org #16 1 too low 16 
Minty Orange: Update Old Posts for Google and AI Search — · 0.0★ (0) thin reviews
wp.org #17 1 too low 17 
RVS Database Doctor 10+ · 5.0★ (1) thin reviews
wp.org #15 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.