WordPress.DB.SlowDBQuery.slow_db_query_meta_query
slow db query meta query
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #601 | WP Docs | 30 | 268 | 271 | 1k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #602 | remarketable | 30 | 281 | 93 | 600 | Output is not escaped | ||
| #603 | YayPricing – WooCommerce Dynamic Pricing & Discounts | 30 | 174 | 186 | 3k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #604 | Advanced Woo Search – Product Search for WooCommerce | 31 | 229 | 377 | 70k+ | Nonce verification recommended | ||
| #605 | AI Builder – Generate pages, blocks, images & translate with AI | 31 | 101 | 194 | 400 | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #606 | AI Copilot – Content Generator | 31 | 159 | 163 | 1k+ | wp function not compatible with requires wp | ||
| #607 | Asgaros Forum | 31 | 167 | 412 | 10k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #608 | České služby pro WordPress | 31 | 95 | 139 | 1k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #609 | Copy Anything to Clipboard for WordPress – Copy Button, Copy Text & Copy Code | 31 | 525 | 131 | 10k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #610 | Crowdfundly | 31 | 594 | 402 | 500 | Output is not escaped | ||
| #611 | MultiVendorX – WooCommerce Multivendor Marketplace AI Powered Solutions | 31 | 663 | 273 | 2k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #612 | Patreon WordPress | 31 | 276 | 339 | 3k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #613 | افزونه پیامک ووکامرس Persian WooCommerce SMS | 31 | 72 | 269 | 40k+ | Nonce verification recommended | ||
| #614 | Product Configurator for WooCommerce | 31 | 41 | 562 | 3k+ | Non-prefixed hook name | ||
| #615 | Active Products Tables for WooCommerce. Use constructor to create tables | 31 | 364 | 424 | 1k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #616 | SmartBill Facturare si Gestiune | 31 | 421 | 164 | 5k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #617 | WooCommerce Legacy REST API | 31 | 324 | 177 | 400k+ | Missing Translators Comment | ||
| #618 | WCPOS – Point of Sale (POS) plugin for WooCommerce | 31 | 75 | 226 | 5k+ | Nonce verification recommended | ||
| #619 | Worldline Global Online Pay for WooCommerce | 31 | 160 | 86 | 500 | Missing direct file access protection | ||
| #620 | HireZoot – Job Listings, Career Page & Recruitment Tool | 31 | 14 | 555 | 40k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #621 | One to one user Chat by WPGuppy | 31 | 74 | 187 | 700 | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #622 | YAHMAN Add-ons | 31 | 468 | 141 | 1k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #623 | YITH Frequently Bought Together for WooCommerce | 31 | 389 | 1,452 | 8k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #624 | YITH WooCommerce Tab Manager | 31 | 395 | 1,429 | 4k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #625 | Affiliate Coupons – Coupon Display Manager – Excellent Tool for Affiliate Marketers | 32 | 183 | 61 | 1k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #626 | AI Alt Text Generator | 32 | 76 | 24 | 1k+ | Missing Translators Comment | ||
| #627 | All in One Time Clock Lite – Tracking Employee Time Has Never Been Easier | 32 | 325 | 102 | 600 | Missing Arg Domain | ||
| #628 | annasta Filters for WooCommerce | 32 | 1,073 | 441 | 2k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #629 | Bosa Elementor Addons and Templates for WooCommerce | 32 | 40 | 165 | 20k+ | slow db query tax query | ||
| #630 | BuddyPress for LearnDash | 32 | 190 | 284 | 1k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #631 | Vimeotheque – Vimeo WordPress Plugin & Video Gallery | 32 | 642 | 264 | 2k+ | Unsafe printing function | ||
| #632 | Ultimate WooCommerce Filters | 32 | 322 | 207 | 600 | Unsafe printing function | ||
| #633 | Cooked – Recipe Management | 32 | 462 | 275 | 3k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #634 | DHL eCommerce (Benelux) for WooCommerce | 32 | 222 | 330 | 2k+ | Nonce verification recommended | ||
| #635 | Download Attachments | 32 | 69 | 188 | 8k+ | Non-prefixed hook name | ||
| #636 | Enter Addons – Ultimate Template Builder for Elementor | 32 | 82 | 72 | 1k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #637 | Fable Extra | 32 | 79 | 282 | 4k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #638 | Gallery Box | 32 | 395 | 43 | 1k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #639 | Gwolle Guestbook | 32 | 269 | 527 | 20k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #640 | Image Slider Slideshow | 32 | 409 | 171 | 2k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #641 | Moyasar | 32 | 539 | 221 | 700 | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #642 | Notice Bar | 32 | 95 | 284 | 700 | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #643 | Volunteer Sign Up Sheets | 32 | 967 | 401 | 1k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #644 | Relevanssi – A Better Search | 32 | 86 | 266 | 100k+ | Missing direct file access protection | ||
| #645 | RSS for Yandex Turbo | 32 | 687 | 307 | 20k+ | Unsafe printing function | ||
| #646 | Sky Addons for Elementor | 32 | 85 | 351 | 2k+ | Non-prefixed namespace | ||
| #647 | Stock Locations for WooCommerce | 32 | 549 | 360 | 1k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #648 | Stock Sync for WooCommerce | 32 | 362 | 232 | 1k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #649 | Subscribe2 – Form, Email Subscribers & Newsletters | 32 | 32 | 410 | 10k+ | Direct Query | ||
| #650 | Tainacan Support for Blocksy | 32 | 244 | 526 | 500 | Non-prefixed global variable |
