As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, here are the top 10 WordPress plugins that were widely regarded as useful and essential. Keep in mind that the plugin landscape can change, so it's a good idea to research the latest information to ensure you're using the most up-to-date and secure plugins. Here are the plugins:
1. Yoast SEO : Helps optimize your content for search engines and provides valuable tools for on-page SEO.
2. W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache : These plugins improve your website's performance by caching content and reducing load times.
3. Akismet : A powerful anti-spam plugin that filters out spam comments from your website.
4. Wordfence Security : Provides robust security features to protect your site from malware, hacking attempts, and other security threats.
5. UpdraftPlus : Offers backup and restoration solutions to safeguard your website's data. It's essential to have a reliable backup plugin.
6. Elementor or Beaver Builder : Page builder plugins that allow you to create custom layouts and designs without coding.
7. WooCommerce : If you're running an online store, this plugin enables you to set up and manage an e-commerce platform.
8. Contact Form 7 or WPForms : Both are popular form builder plugins that let you create and manage contact forms and other types of forms easily.
9. MonsterInsights : Integrates Google Analytics with your WordPress dashboard, providing valuable insights into your website's performance and visitor behavior.
10. Smush or EWWW Image Optimizer : Image optimization plugins that compress and resize images, enhancing website speed without sacrificing quality.
Please note that the popularity and recommendations for plugins can change over time, and new plugins might have emerged since my last update. Always make sure to check reviews, ratings, and recent information before installing any plugins to ensure they meet your specific needs and are compatible with your WordPress version.