diff --git a/src/lib/plugin/kpluginmetadata.h b/src/lib/plugin/kpluginmetadata.h
--- a/src/lib/plugin/kpluginmetadata.h
+++ b/src/lib/plugin/kpluginmetadata.h
@@ -353,6 +353,15 @@
      */
     bool isEnabledByDefault() const;
 
+    /**
+     * @return the initial preference of the plugin.
+     * This is the preference to associate with this plugin initially (before
+     * the user has had any chance to define preferences for it).
+     * Higher values indicate stronger preference.
+     * @since 5.67
+     */
+    int initialPreference() const;
+
     /**
      * @return the value for @p key from the metadata or @p defaultValue if the key does not exist
      * or the value for @p key is not of type string
diff --git a/src/lib/plugin/kpluginmetadata.cpp b/src/lib/plugin/kpluginmetadata.cpp
--- a/src/lib/plugin/kpluginmetadata.cpp
+++ b/src/lib/plugin/kpluginmetadata.cpp
@@ -360,6 +360,11 @@
     return false;
 }
 
+int KPluginMetaData::initialPreference() const
+{
+    return rootObject()[QStringLiteral("InitialPreference")].toInt();
+}
+
 QString KPluginMetaData::value(const QString &key, const QString &defaultValue) const
 {
     const QJsonValue value = m_metaData.value(key);