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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1151 | GDPR | 77 | 39 | 121 | 10k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1152 | Internet Archive Wayback Machine Link Fixer | 77 | 2 | 22 | 1k+ | Database parameter is not escaped | ||
| #1153 | Display custom fields in the frontend – Post and User Profile Fields | 77 | 17 | 18 | 600 | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1154 | wpsection | 77 | 131 | 554 | 3k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1155 | X-Currency – The Ultimate WooCommerce currency switcher for a smoother shopping experience | 77 | 17 | 77 | 1k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1156 | AWP Classifieds | 78 | 11 | 9 | 3k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #1157 | Boxzilla – WordPress Popup Builder | 79 | 4 | 64 | 20k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1158 | Last Name First Name | 79 | 9 | 5 | 500 | Non-prefixed function | ||
| #1159 | Related Products Manager for WooCommerce | 79 | 9 | 43 | 1k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1160 | WP Referral Code | 79 | 18 | 19 | 600 | Missing direct file access protection | ||
| #1161 | Antispam Bee | 80 | 4 | 38 | 700k+ | Nonce verification recommended | ||
| #1162 | ShopEngine Gutenberg WooCommerce Builder Blocks Addon – All in One WooCommerce Solution | 80 | 424 | 735 | 3k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1163 | Trust Payments Gateway for WooCommerce | 80 | 15 | 17 | 400 | Non-prefixed class | ||
| #1164 | Product Feed PRO for WooCommerce by AdTribes – Product Feeds for WooCommerce | 80 | 9 | 445 | 80k+ | Non-prefixed hook name | ||
| #1165 | AI | 81 | 11 | 79 | 30k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1166 | Joinchat – Enhanced "click to chat" | 81 | 18 | 32 | 700k+ | wp function not compatible with requires wp | ||
| #1167 | ElasticPress | 81 | 13 | 655 | 8k+ | Non-prefixed hook name | ||
| #1168 | Gutenverse Companion | 81 | 16 | 29 | 8k+ | Nonce verification recommended | ||
| #1169 | HivePress Geolocation | 81 | 2 | 25 | 7k+ | Nonce verification recommended | ||
| #1170 | Stream | 81 | 5 | 80 | 80k+ | Direct Query | ||
| #1171 | VS Event List | 81 | 1 | 259 | 8k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1172 | BlogVault Backup & Staging | 82 | 53 | 22 | 80k+ | Missing direct file access protection | ||
| #1173 | Colibri Page Builder | 82 | 138 | 31 | 90k+ | Missing direct file access protection | ||
| #1174 | ForumWP – Forum & Discussion Board | 82 | 22 | 444 | 800 | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1175 | Head & Footer Code | 82 | 1 | 15 | 100k+ | Non-prefixed constant | ||
| #1176 | MalCare WordPress Security Plugin – Malware Scanner, Cleaner, Security Firewall | 82 | 55 | 22 | 200k+ | Missing direct file access protection | ||
| #1177 | MyBookTable Bookstore by Stormhill Media | 82 | 15 | 33 | 1k+ | Direct Query | ||
| #1178 | OpenPix for WooCommerce | 82 | 69 | 28 | 500 | wp function not compatible with requires wp | ||
| #1179 | The WP Remote WordPress Plugin | 82 | 51 | 24 | 30k+ | Missing direct file access protection | ||
| #1180 | dLocal Go Payments | 83 | 9 | 15 | 400 | Missing Translators Comment | ||
| #1181 | Soro – SEO Autopilot & AI Content Writer | 83 | 4 | 10 | 9k+ | Input is not sanitized | ||
| #1182 | WPC AJAX Search for WooCommerce | 83 | 1 | 29 | 1k+ | Nonce verification recommended | ||
| #1183 | Better Post & Filter Widgets for Elementor | 84 | 7 | 27 | 3k+ | slow db query tax query | ||
| #1184 | FEWC – Extra Checkout Fields For WooCommerce | 84 | 7 | 41 | 700 | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1185 | Get the Image | 84 | 8 | 8 | 7k+ | Non-prefixed hook name | ||
| #1186 | Stape Conversion Tracking | 84 | 22 | 4 | 10k+ | Non Singular String Literal Domain | ||
| #1187 | Advanced Post Manager | 85 | 11 | 18 | 4k+ | Request data is not unslashed | ||
| #1188 | DCO Comment Attachment | 85 | 5 | 5 | 5k+ | Missing nonce verification | ||
| #1189 | FormGent – Next-Gen AI Form Builder for WordPress with Multi-Step, Quizzes, Payments & More | 85 | 11 | 315 | 1k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1190 | JAMP Notes (Just Another Memo Plugin) | 85 | 170 | 183 | 400 | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #1191 | Madquick WP Legal Pages – One Click, 100% Free | 85 | 5 | 55 | 600 | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1192 | MyCryptoCheckout – Bitcoin, Ethereum, and 100+ altcoins for WooCommerce | 85 | 6 | 7 | 8k+ | Missing Translators Comment | ||
| #1193 | Advanced Queries | 86 | 6 | 11 | 10k+ | Non-prefixed constant | ||
| #1194 | Unlimited Theme Addon For Elementor | 86 | 74 | 68 | 600 | Missing direct file access protection | ||
| #1195 | PayPal Enterprise Payments (formerly Braintree) for WooCommerce | 86 | 3 | 33 | 10k+ | Direct Query | ||
| #1196 | Authors List | 87 | 2 | 16 | 5k+ | Nonce verification recommended | ||
| #1197 | Better Addons for Elementor | 87 | 125 | 221 | 4k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #1198 | Enable Abilities for MCP | 87 | 48 | 1k+ | Direct Query | |||
| #1199 | Snitch | 87 | 5 | 19 | 900 | Nonce verification recommended | ||
| #1200 | Unnotifier — disable admin notices individually | 87 | 5 | 11 | 700 | Missing Translators Comment |
