Head-to-head · October 2026
Google+ Author Button vs Social Media Sidebar Icons
Social Media Sidebar Icons comes out ahead, winning 3 of 4 head-to-head checks against Google+ Author Button.
Google+ Author Button
This plugin adds a ‘Add [author_name] on Google+’ button to the end of every post. Simply add your Google+ ID…
Social Media Sidebar Icons
This plugin shows social icons on your website. Simply put the URL in the widget area. You can also choose…
| Metric | Google+ Author Button | Social Media Sidebar Icons |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 10+ | 10+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 72 | 41 |
| Download trend | +33.3% | +57.7% |
| Rating | — | — |
| Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Health score | 23/100 | 23/100 |
| Last updated | 14 years ago | 11 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 3.4.2 | WP 4.2.39 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | May 2012 | Jul 2015 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Google+ Author ButtonSocial Media Sidebar Ic…
Choose Google+ Author Button if…
You care most about downloads (30 days).
- Small user base (10+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 14 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 3.4 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Social Media Sidebar Icons if…
You care most about download trend, last updated and tested up to.
- Small user base (10+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 11 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 4.2 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: Google button
FAQ
Google+ Author Button vs Social Media Sidebar Icons: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 5, 2026
Which is better, Google+ Author Button or Social Media Sidebar Icons?
Social Media Sidebar Icons comes out ahead, winning 3 of 4 head-to-head checks against Google+ Author Button. Choose Google+ Author Button if you care most about downloads (30 days). Choose Social Media Sidebar Icons if you care most about download trend, last updated and tested up to.
Is Google+ Author Button more popular than Social Media Sidebar Icons?
Google+ Author Button is the more popular of the two with 10+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Social Media Sidebar Icons.
Can I use Google+ Author Button and Social Media Sidebar Icons together?
Both plugins cover Google button, so most sites only need one. Running two plugins that do the same job can cause conflicts and slow your site down — pick the one that fits best and remove the other.
Are Google+ Author Button and Social Media Sidebar Icons free?
Yes. Both are free to download from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Either may also offer paid upgrades from its developer.
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