WordPress.DB.SlowDBQuery.slow_db_query_meta_key
slow db query meta key
A query pattern is likely to be slow on larger WordPress sites.
Why It Shows Up
The scan found query arguments such as broad meta queries, tax queries, or unindexed lookups that commonly become expensive as content grows.
Why It Matters
A query that feels fine on a small test site can become a production bottleneck on large stores, membership sites, or publishers.
How to Fix
- Avoid broad `meta_query`, `tax_query`, and unindexed searches on front-end requests when possible.
- Cache expensive results with transients, object cache, or precomputed data.
- Add narrower constraints, pagination, and indexes when custom tables are appropriate.
References
Affected Plugins
| Rank | Plugin | Score | Errors | Warnings | Installs | Added | Updated | Top Issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1051 | Interactive Globes – 3D World Maps | 51 | 24 | 104 | 400 | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1052 | Quotes and Tips by BestWebSoft | 51 | 485 | 190 | 1k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #1053 | Tourfic Toolkit | 51 | 44 | 27 | 1k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #1054 | REST API Log | 51 | 44 | 95 | 5k+ | Non-prefixed hook name | ||
| #1055 | YayMail – WooCommerce Email Customizer | 51 | 163 | 788 | 50k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1056 | Starbox – the Author Box for Humans | 52 | 144 | 19 | 10k+ | Non Singular String Literal Domain | ||
| #1057 | Price Based on Country for WooCommerce | 52 | 43 | 126 | 20k+ | Non-prefixed hook name | ||
| #1058 | Automattic For Agencies Client | 53 | 249 | 184 | 20k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #1059 | FakerPress | 53 | 66 | 152 | 10k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1060 | Simple Masonry Layout | 53 | 28 | 28 | 1k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #1061 | Widgets Reloaded | 53 | 62 | 20 | 1k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #1062 | aBlocks – Gutenberg Blocks, User Dashboard Builder, Popup Builder, Form Builder & Animation Builder | 54 | 8 | 382 | 2k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1063 | Disqus Comment System | 54 | 17 | 33 | 40k+ | Non-prefixed hook name | ||
| #1064 | MSN Partner Hub | 54 | 21 | 25 | 1k+ | Missing direct file access protection | ||
| #1065 | Accordions | 55 | 1 | 101 | 20k+ | slow db query meta query | ||
| #1066 | JetWidgets For Elementor | 55 | 99 | 279 | 10k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1067 | Refer A Friend for WooCommerce by WPGens | 55 | 77 | 21 | 1k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #1068 | Semrush Content Toolkit | 55 | 22 | 24 | 2k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1069 | Trusona for WordPress | 55 | 8 | 34 | 500 | Non-prefixed function | ||
| #1070 | VS Contact Form | 55 | 3 | 318 | 7k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1071 | WPC Smart Messages for WooCommerce | 55 | 6 | 84 | 1k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1072 | Easy Digital Downloads Featured Downloads | 56 | 15 | 15 | 1k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #1073 | CIELO API PIX, credit card, debit payment for WooCommerce | 56 | 11 | 121 | 700 | Nonce verification recommended | ||
| #1074 | MAS Brands for WooCommerce | 56 | 80 | 15 | 10k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #1075 | Simple Org Chart | 56 | 15 | 29 | 900 | Missing Version | ||
| #1076 | Subscription & Recurring Payment for WooCommerce | 56 | 8 | 485 | 800 | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1077 | TextBuilder | 56 | 20 | 34 | 4k+ | Missing Arg Domain | ||
| #1078 | WP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images, Minify & Clean database to boost page speed & performance | 56 | 5 | 769 | 1m+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1079 | iConvert Promoter | 57 | 98 | 217 | 1k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1080 | Internal Link Juicer: SEO Auto Linker for WordPress | 57 | 12 | 61 | 90k+ | Database parameter is not escaped | ||
| #1081 | Ultimate Member – Terms & Conditions | 57 | 19 | 9 | 4k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #1082 | Sequential Order Numbers for WooCommerce | 57 | 9 | 24 | 10k+ | Interpolated SQL is not prepared | ||
| #1083 | Houzez WooCommerce Addon | 58 | 22 | 21 | 4k+ | Missing Translators Comment | ||
| #1084 | List Last Changes | 58 | 50 | 15 | 1k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #1085 | REVIEWS.io for WooCommerce | 58 | 71 | 161 | 1k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1086 | Videopack | 58 | 28 | 108 | 10k+ | Input is not sanitized | ||
| #1087 | View Admin As | 58 | 307 | 135 | 9k+ | Non Singular String Literal Domain | ||
| #1088 | Co-Authors Plus | 59 | 2 | 76 | 20k+ | Input is not sanitized | ||
| #1089 | Getty Images | 59 | 11 | 46 | 2k+ | Missing nonce verification | ||
| #1090 | Simple User Avatar | 59 | 8 | 14 | 20k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #1091 | Ultimate Gift Cards for WooCommerce | 59 | 3 | 448 | 7k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1092 | Genesis Featured Widget Amplified | 60 | 126 | 12 | 2k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #1093 | Material Design for WordPress | 60 | 51 | 207 | 800 | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1094 | Stream | 60 | 24 | 99 | 80k+ | Direct Query | ||
| #1095 | WoowGallery | 60 | 15 | 178 | 1k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1096 | CommerceBird – AI Command Center, ERP Integrations & B2B for WooCommerce (Zoho, Exact Online). | 61 | 3 | 162 | 500 | Direct Query | ||
| #1097 | GetPaid Stripe Payments | 61 | 206 | 44 | 2k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #1098 | Team Showcase | 61 | 1 | 125 | 1k+ | slow db query meta key | ||
| #1099 | Order Weight for WooCommerce | 61 | 24 | 34 | 600 | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #1100 | Show Variations as Single Products for WooCommerce | 61 | 12 | 27 | 500 | Unsafe printing function |
