Highlights · computed from our daily tracking data
- Blackhole for Bad Bots currently ranks #1025 in the WordPress.org popular plugins list.
- Its best position in our tracking is #958, first reached on Aug 18, 2026.
- Active installs have held steady at 30K+ since we began tracking it in July 2026.
- It is averaging 215 downloads/day over the last 30 days, down 77% versus the month before (938/day).
- The latest release, v3.8.4, shipped on Aug 21, 2026 (57 days ago) — release #45 since the plugin joined the directory in 2016.
Ranking history
Ranking history — data table
| Date | Ranking history |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-17 | #1025 |
| 2026-09-30 | #1015 |
| 2026-08-31 | #974 |
| 2026-07-31 | #961 |
Latest reading of each month from our daily snapshots; the chart holds the full daily history.
Active installs
Active installs — data table
| Date | Active installs |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-17 | 30,000 |
| 2026-09-30 | 30,000 |
| 2026-08-31 | 30,000 |
| 2026-07-31 | 30,000 |
Latest reading of each month from our daily snapshots; the chart holds the full daily history.
Downloads per day
Downloads per day — data table
| Date | Downloads per day |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-16 | 145 |
| 2026-09-30 | 214 |
| 2026-08-31 | 601 |
| 2026-07-31 | 133 |
| 2026-06-30 | 164 |
| 2026-05-31 | 116 |
| 2026-04-30 | 432 |
| 2026-03-31 | 540 |
| 2026-02-28 | 185 |
| 2026-01-31 | 133 |
| 2025-12-31 | 151 |
| 2025-11-30 | 243 |
| 2025-10-31 | 91 |
| 2025-09-30 | 124 |
| 2025-08-31 | 57 |
| 2025-07-31 | 104 |
| 2025-06-30 | 112 |
| 2025-05-31 | 83 |
| 2025-04-30 | 211 |
| 2025-03-31 | 815 |
| 2025-02-28 | 131 |
| 2025-01-31 | 146 |
| 2024-12-31 | 150 |
| 2024-11-30 | 218 |
| 2024-10-31 | 454 |
| 2024-09-30 | 142 |
| 2024-08-31 | 66 |
Latest reading of each month from our daily snapshots; the chart holds the full daily history.
Details
| Author | Jeff Starr |
|---|---|
| Current version | 3.8.4 |
| Versions released | 45 |
| Last updated | 2026-08-21 |
| Added to directory | 2016-02-18 |
| Requires WordPress | 4.7+ |
| Requires PHP | 5.6.20+ |
| First tracked here | 2026-07-23 |
Description
Blackhole is a WordPress security plugin that detects and traps bad bots in a virtual black hole, where they are denied access to your entire site.
Frequently asked questions
How many websites use Blackhole for Bad Bots?
WordPress.org reports 30K+ active installs.
How popular is Blackhole for Bad Bots?
As of October 17, 2026, Blackhole for Bad Bots ranks #1025 in the WordPress.org popular plugins list. Its best position in our tracking is #958.
When was Blackhole for Bad Bots last updated?
Blackhole for Bad Bots was last updated on August 21, 2026 (version 3.8.4). It has shipped 45 releases in total.
Who makes Blackhole for Bad Bots?
Blackhole for Bad Bots is developed by Jeff Starr. It joined the WordPress.org plugin directory in February 2016.
