# Server-Side Google Search

> Server-Side Google Search has 10+ active installs and 54 downloads in the last 30 days. Health score 23/100, keyword rankings, version adoption and the best alternatives.

**Verdict: Consider an alternative.** Server-Side Google Search shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 10+ sites and was last updated 11 years ago, and scores 23/100 on our health check.

**This plugin adds Google Custom Search to your website, but unlike other plugins operates on the server side, thus eliminating the need for JavaScript and keeping the page size small.**

## Key facts

- **Overall rank:** —
- **Active installs:** 10+
- **Total downloads:** 2,439
- **Downloads (30 days):** 54 (+125% vs previous 30 days)
- **Rating:** No ratings yet
- **Health score:** 23/100 (At risk)
- **Version:** 1.0.3
- **Last updated:** Aug 17, 2015
- **Tested up to:** WordPress 4.3.34
- **Requires:** WordPress 3.7+
- **Support resolved:** 0 of 0 threads (last 2 months)
- **Developer:** Aptivate (https://pageforge.pro/directory/authors/aptivate/)
- **WordPress.org:** https://wordpress.org/plugins/server-side-google-search/

## Category rankings

| Category | Rank | Plugins |
|---|---|---|
| [google](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/google/) | >100 | 600 |
| [google custom search](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/google-custom-search/) | #3 | 3 |
| [google search](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/google-search/) | #8 | 15 |
| [SCE](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/sce/) | #2 | 2 |
| [Server-Side Google Search](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/server-side-google-search/) | #1 | 1 |

## WordPress.org search positions

| Keyword | Position | Results |
|---|---|---|
| google | >100 | 10,000 |
| google custom search | >100 | 4,605 |
| google search | >100 | 6,879 |
| SCE | #5 | 7 |
| Server-Side Google Search | >100 | 1,608 |

## Version adoption

- 1.0: 100%

## Alternatives

| # | Name | Active installs | Rating | Updated | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Site Kit by Google – Analytics, Search Console, AdSense, Speed](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/google-site-kit/) | 5M+ | 4.2/5 (1,012) | Oct 5, 2026 | 92/100 |
| 2 | [Google for WooCommerce](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/google-listings-and-ads/) | 800K+ | 2.7/5 (267) | Sep 29, 2026 | 82/100 |
| 3 | [GA Google Analytics – Connect Google Analytics to WordPress](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/ga-google-analytics/) | 400K+ | 4.9/5 (158) | Aug 10, 2026 | 89/100 |
| 4 | [OMGF / GDPR/DSGVO Compliant, Faster Google Fonts. Easy.](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/host-webfonts-local/) | 300K+ | 4.7/5 (213) | Sep 30, 2026 | 81/100 |
| 5 | [Nextend Social Login and Register](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/nextend-facebook-connect/) | 200K+ | 4.9/5 (446) | Jul 28, 2026 | 87/100 |
| 6 | [Local Google Fonts](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/local-google-fonts/) | 100K+ | 4.6/5 (83) | May 1, 2025 | 45/100 |
| 7 | [Web Stories](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/web-stories/) | 60K+ | 4.2/5 (87) | May 15, 2025 | 52/100 |
| 8 | [Login No Captcha reCAPTCHA](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/login-recaptcha/) | 50K+ | 4.5/5 (63) | May 26, 2026 | 74/100 |
| 9 | [AI Powered Marketing](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/kliken-marketing-for-google/) | 50K+ | 2.7/5 (29) | May 20, 2026 | 65/100 |
| 10 | [AI Provider for Google](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/ai-provider-for-google/) | 50K+ | — | Sep 21, 2026 | 78/100 |

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Server-Side Google Search free?
Yes. Server-Side Google Search is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.

### Is Server-Side Google Search safe to use in 2026?
Server-Side Google Search shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 10+ sites and was last updated 11 years ago, and scores 23/100 on our health check.

### How many websites use Server-Side Google Search?
Server-Side Google Search is active on 10+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 2,439 times since it launched in January 2015. It was downloaded 54 times in the last 30 days.

### Does Server-Side Google Search work with WordPress 7.1?
Server-Side Google Search is officially tested up to WordPress 4.3.34, while the latest release is 7.1.2. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.

### When was Server-Side Google Search last updated?
The latest version, 1.0.3, was released on August 17, 2015 (11 years ago).

### Who makes Server-Side Google Search?
Server-Side Google Search is developed and maintained by Aptivate.

### What are the best alternatives to Server-Side Google Search?
The most popular alternatives to Server-Side Google Search are Site Kit by Google (5M+ installs), Google for WooCommerce (800K+ installs) and GA Google Analytics (400K+ installs).


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Source: live WordPress.org data · HTML version: https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/server-side-google-search/ · Generated 2026-10-06 15:00 UTC by PageForge