PluginScore

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.

medium weight

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

WordPress database access

Affected Plugins

RankPluginScoreErrorsWarningsInstallsAddedUpdatedTop Issue
#1201Dynamic Animations for Elementor8877171k+Non Singular String Literal Domain
#1202Generic Elements881,922140500Text Domain Mismatch
#1203Content Update Scheduler892172k+Non-prefixed global variable
#1204Koala AI8991k+Nonce verification recommended
#1205Wbcom Designs – Shortcodes & Elementor Widgets For BuddyPress8926184600Non-prefixed hook name
#1206WPC Smart Notifications for WooCommerce8979600Non-prefixed global variable
#1207External files in Media Library901668400Direct Query
#1208Icegram Engage – Popups, Optins, CTAs & Lead Generation91141010k+wp function not compatible with requires wp
#1209Mesmerize Companion91279160k+Non-prefixed global variable
#1210PS User Login Count9177500Missing Arg Domain
#1211Slim SEO – A Fast & Automated SEO Plugin For WordPress913960k+Database parameter is not escaped
#1212WCFM – Multivendor Marketplace REST API for WooCommerce915341k+Non-prefixed hook name
#1213Custom Product Tabs for WooCommerce & WordPress Tabs Builder – Smart Tabs9141210k+Non-prefixed global variable
#1214Daisy Titles — Style & Hide Page and Post Titles92153k+Discouraged text-domain loading
#1215Display Posts – Easy lists, grids, navigation, and more92112380k+Non-prefixed function
#1216Find Posts Using Attachment92421k+Missing direct file access protection
#1217PDF Thumbnails92521k+Missing Arg Domain
#1218WP DPE-GES928459600Text Domain Mismatch
#1219LinkCentral – URL shortener, Custom Links & Affiliate Link Shortener with Link Tracking937225400Direct Query
#1220Skyword Publishing API934915400wp function not compatible with requires wp
#1221SharkDropship & Affiliate for AliExpress, eBay, Amazon, Etsy and Temu9310523500Text Domain Mismatch
#1222Easy Post Submission – Frontend Posting, Guest Publishing & Submit Content for WordPress941183k+Non-prefixed hook name
#1223ElementCamp9411781k+Post Not In exclude
#1224Hello Plus94153880k+Post Not In exclude
#1225JobBoardWP – Job Board Listings and Submissions9412441k+slow db query meta query
#1226StyleAI9414500Missing nonce verification
#1227WPC Product FAQs for WooCommerce94201k+Non-prefixed class
#1228Liveblog9522341k+Non-prefixed global variable
#1229Manage – Centralized site maintenance and monitoring9554760k+Direct Query
#1230MotoPress Hotel Booking for Divi9522111k+Missing direct file access protection
#1231Paydibs Gateway for WooCommerce95141k+Discouraged text-domain loading
#1232Yoast Test Helper9524360k+Direct Query
#1233WP Offload Media Lite for Amazon S3, DigitalOcean Spaces, and Google Cloud Storage9681230k+Missing direct file access protection
#1234Block, Suspend, Report for BuddyPress96324600slow db query meta query
#1235Bulk Delete9622630k+slow db query meta key
#1236Delete Post with Attachments962151k+Direct Query
#1237Edit Custom Fields9610192k+Direct Query
#1238ElementInvader Addons for Elementor964603k+Missing Version
#1239List Pages Shortcode96595k+Non-prefixed hook name
#1240WP Job Manager – Company Profiles963102k+trademarked term
#1241Base (formerly BaseLinker) – 300+ marketplaces, 150+ carriers & PIM & OMS & WMS in one972164k+Direct Query
#1242Gutentor – Gutenberg Blocks – Page Builder for Gutenberg Editor973530k+Post Not In post not in
#1243Newpost Catch9721510k+Non-prefixed hook name
#1244Page-list9752330k+Post Not In exclude
#1245Smart Search & Product Filter for WooCommerce – Searchanise97224900Non-prefixed global variable
#1246Spiraclethemes Site Library97281k+Non-prefixed global variable
#1247SVG Support971271m+Non-prefixed global variable
#1248Vitepos – Point of Sale (POS) for WooCommerce97282k+slow db query meta query
#1249WPC Product Size Chart for WooCommerce97192k+Non-prefixed class
#1250Zone Manager (Zoninator)97522k+Missing direct file access protection