9 Best WordPress Popular Posts Plugins – Free and Premium (2024)

Showcasing your most popular posts is an effective way to engage visitors and increase page views on your WordPress site. Popular posts plugins provide tools to highlight trending content based on views, comments, or shares. Here are the 9 best WordPress popular posts plugins, both free and premium, for 2024.

Why Use Popular Posts Plugins?

• Boost Engagement: Highlight top-performing content to keep users on your site longer.
• Increase Traffic: Drive more page views by showcasing popular articles.
• Improve SEO: Reduce bounce rates and improve site metrics.
• Customize Display: Add widgets or sections tailored to your theme.

Best WordPress Popular Posts Plugins

1. WordPress Popular Posts

Features:

• Tracks views and displays popular posts in real-time.
• Includes customizable widgets and time-range settings.
• Perfect for users seeking detailed analytics.

2. Jetpack

Features:

• Includes a popular posts widget alongside security and performance tools.
• Offers advanced customization for thumbnails and titles.
• Great for users already using Jetpack.

3. Top 10 Popular Posts Plugin

Features:

• Lightweight plugin with options to track daily and overall views.
• Includes thumbnail support and custom post types.
• Ideal for simple setups.

4. MonsterInsights

Features:

• Combines analytics with content tracking to showcase popular posts.
• Includes advanced reporting and eCommerce integration.
• Perfect for data-driven decisions.

5. Stylish Popular Posts

Features:

• Focuses on design with beautiful layouts and animations.
• Includes responsive display options.
• Great for visually-oriented websites.

6. Yuzo Related Posts

Features:

• Combines popular and related posts features.
• Includes lightweight performance and stylish layouts.
• Ideal for blogs and magazines.

7. Trending/Popular Post Slider and Widget

Features:

• Adds sliders and carousels for popular posts.
• Includes multiple layouts and animation options.
• Perfect for dynamic designs.

8. Contextual Related Posts

Features:

• Focuses on related posts with popularity metrics.
• Includes caching and thumbnail support.
• Great for content-heavy sites.

9. WP Tab Widget

Features:

• Combines popular posts with recent and comment tabs.
• Includes caching for fast loading times.
• Ideal for sidebar customization.

Features to Look for in Popular Posts Plugins

• Ease of Use: Intuitive setup and configuration.
• Customization: Tools to style widgets and match site branding.
• Performance: Lightweight solutions that don’t affect site speed.
• Analytics: Detailed metrics to track and display post popularity.
• Integration: Compatibility with themes, page builders, and other plugins.

How to Choose the Right Plugin

1. Define Your Goals: Identify whether you need basic widgets or advanced analytics.
2. Evaluate Features: Look for plugins with functionalities that align with your needs.
3. Check Compatibility: Ensure the plugin integrates seamlessly with your WordPress setup.
4. Test Usability: Opt for plugins with reliable support and clear documentation.

Conclusion

WordPress popular posts plugins help you highlight your best content, driving engagement and improving site performance. The 9 plugins listed above cater to various needs, from simple widgets to advanced analytics tools. Explore these plugins to showcase your most popular posts in 2024.

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