Readme Checker
Score a readme the way search reads it
Enter a plugin and the search you want to be found for. We check the name, short description, tags and description against WordPress.org's search fields, plus the readme values that change the score.
- Keyword in the name, slug, excerpt and tags
- Length limits WordPress.org enforces
- FAQ, screenshots and changelog
- “Tested up to” and the last release
Contact Form 7 readme
Contact Form 710M+ installs · 163 words in the description14 pass2 improve0 fix
Contact Form 7
Just another contact form plugin. Simple but flexible.
Text match for “contact form”: 12.0 of 12 on the Rank Simulator's estimate.
Title
- Name length14 characters: short enough to show in full in search results.
- Keyword in the nameThe name contains "contact form". Title and slug carry the biggest text boost in search (×5).
- Keyword in the slugThe slug "contact-form-7" contains the keyword.
Short description
- Short description length54 of 150 characters.
- Keyword in the short descriptionThe short description contains the keyword. Search matches it as the excerpt (×2).
Tags
- Number of tagsOnly 2. Up to 5 are used; each one is another way to be found.
- Keyword in the tagsA tag matches the keyword.
Description
- Description length163 words. Aim for 300 or more: features, who it is for, and the words people search for.
- Keyword early in the descriptionThe keyword appears in the first 100 words.
- Keyword use3 times in 163 words (1.8%): natural.
Sections
- FAQFAQ section found.
- ScreenshotsScreenshots section found.
- ChangelogChangelog section found.
- InstallationInstallation section found.
Search score
- Tested up toTested up to 7.1.4 with WordPress 7.1 current: full score.
- Last releaseReleased 10 days ago. Search starts lowering the score after 180 days.
Fixed the readme? Watch the rank move
Track the plugin and the searches you care about. We check your position every day, so you can see what each readme change did.
- Daily keyword positions
- Rank Simulator on your dashboard
- Alerts before the score decays
Inside the Readme Checker
Name and slug
The fields with the biggest text boost in search (×5), checked for your keyword and length.
Short description
The line under the name in results, matched as the excerpt and cut at 150 characters.
Tags
Only the first five count. We check how many you use and whether one matches the search.
Description and sections
Length, the keyword early on, natural use rather than stuffing, and FAQ, screenshots and changelog.
Score factors
“Tested up to” against the current WordPress, and days since the last release.
Text match estimate
How well the name, slug, excerpt and tags match the search, on the Rank Simulator scale.
Questions
Which readme does it check?
The published one, as WordPress.org parses it from the stable tag. Changes you commit show up here once WordPress.org has processed them.
Does a perfect score mean a top position?
No. Text match decides who appears, then installs, ratings, support and recency multiply the score. A good readme gets you into the race; the Rank Simulator shows the rest.
Why is a long name flagged?
Search results cut long names off, and the plugin guidelines treat keyword-stuffed names and readmes as spam. A clear name with the main search term does better.
Can it check themes?
Not yet. Theme search reads different fields, so this checker is for plugins.
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Niche Research
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