Change how 'Active Installations' is calculated on 'Popular' tab

[DannyCooper]

Ref: ​https://wordpress.org/themes/browse/popular/

It's generally accepted that the algorithm for the 'Popular' tab is based on two variables:

• Time in Directory
• Active Installations

This works well when .org is the primary distribution method, as both values start at 0.

However, some authors/companies have realised you can manipulate the algorithm by accumulating installations before uploading your theme.

So the variables look like this:

Time in Directory = 1 day
Active Installations = 10,000

Because the time in directory is so low compared to the active installations, the theme will be given an artificially high position.

It would be more accurate to include the time it took to accumulate all the installs. In which case the variables would be:

• Time Since First Active Install
• Active Installations

There are two possible solutions:

1) Store the number of active installations when a theme enters the directory and deduct that amount from any calculations. This would effectively reset the current variables to 0 (as they should be).

Simplified:

$value = $time_in_directory * ($active_installations - $active_installations_on_entry)

2) Replace 'Time in Directory' with 'Time since first active install'. I believe this would require storing the value from the Update API.

Simplified: $value = $time_since_first_install * $active_installations

[SergeyBiryukov]

Previously: #2114. Could we continue the discussion there?

[DannyCooper]

@SergeyBiryukov The initial discussion in that ticket is a separate problem (different themes using the same name). I believe a separate ticket is warranted for this issue (and the potential solutions provided).

[kevinhaig]

I believe the popular rating is based on:

install Count / days in directory

So Danny's suggestion would be good but using a net install count (if I may use the term ) would have to be checked to ensure it does not become negative.

Also a different thought, do the popular ranking on a weekly install basis, simple and effective. So the highest installs in a week gets the top spot.

[gouravwptech]

I'm totally agree with @DannyCooper

[dingo_d]

@DannyCooper have you maybe thought about writing a patch for this?

[fahimmurshed]

I'm also agree with @DannyCooper

[fahimmurshed]

@DannyCooper,

Please submit a patch for this.

[DannyCooper]

@fahimmurshed I believe this would require deeper changes that only the meta team would be able to make.