The WordPress Plugins Team is grappling with a towering workload, as new statistics reveal significant bottlenecks in plugin reviews. With 4704 plugins currently in the queue and nearly 4000 pending for over seven days, the pace of processing may leave developers waiting longer than ever before.
Between March 9 and March 15, 553 plugin submissions were requested, but only 249 were approved. Meanwhile, 221 plugins were rejected, and 45 were closed. These numbers point to a high rejection rate and a growing review backlog that continues to strain resources.
Breaking down the queue, 867 plugins are classified as ‘new,’ meaning they haven’t yet been processed or replied to. Another 3837 are ‘pending,’ with authors awaiting feedback. The team has also logged 3534 plugins as ‘pending, waiting on reviewer,’ and 278 are pending with reviewers but have not yet triggered email communication.
Help Scout Data Shows Intense Communication Load
Help Scout, the platform used for team communications, paints an equally demanding picture. Over the reporting period, there were 1303 total conversations, with 676 new conversations initiated by customers. Monday emerged as the busiest day, with 771 messages received and 548 emails created. The team sent an impressive 2325 replies during this time, averaging 162 conversations per day.
These figures reveal not only the sheer volume of plugin-related queries but also the heavy administrative burden placed on the reviewers. Any operational inefficiencies in communication could exacerbate delays in approvals.
Why These Stats Matter for Developers
For plugin developers, these statistics highlight the importance of submitting well-prepared plugins that meet WordPress standards. With rejection rates exceeding 40%, developers face increasing pressure to ensure compliance and quality before submission.
The growing backlog also suggests that developers may need to adjust expectations for approval timelines. Those who rely on fast approvals for product launches or client projects may need contingency plans as the system struggles to keep pace.
What To Do
- Plugin developers: Submit plugins that strictly adhere to WordPress guidelines to avoid common rejection pitfalls. Double-check documentation and code quality before submission.
- Agencies: Plan projects with buffer time for plugin approval delays. Consider engaging directly with the Plugins Team for complex submissions.
- Hosting providers: Monitor plugin approval queues for any delays impacting essential integrations.
