PluginScore

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.

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
#701Download After Email – Subscribe & Download Form Plugin34223567k+Input is not validated
#702Einsatzverwaltung341521281k+Output is not escaped
#703ECS – Ele Custom Skin for Elementor3499205100k+Text Domain Mismatch
#704ePayco Plugin for WooCommerce341551363k+Text Domain Mismatch
#705Event Calendar Newsletter3496167600Non-prefixed hook name
#706Event Post34329991k+Output is not escaped
#707Garden Gnome Package34116514k+Text Domain Mismatch
#708Image Cleanup3452941k+Nonce verification recommended
#709Import XML and RSS Feeds34260852k+Unsafe printing function
#710Lenix Leads Collector3441424210k+Text Domain Mismatch
#711MantraBrain Starter Sites | MantraBrain Theme Demo Importer34117611k+Output is not escaped
#712Melhor Envio342427610k+Nonce verification recommended
#713OTP Login & Register Woocommerce341482021k+Missing nonce verification
#714Moyasar34521134700Text Domain Mismatch
#715My Tickets – Accessible Event Ticketing34314566700Nonce verification recommended
#716One User Avatar | User Profile Picture3468190100k+Non-prefixed global variable
#717Payoneer Checkout34168415k+Exception output is not escaped
#718RaraTheme Companion344307110k+Output is not escaped
#719Responsive Menu – Create Mobile-Friendly Menu34684070k+Nonce verification recommended
#720RTMForm Builder3418820930k+Text Domain Mismatch
#721Route ‑ Shipping Protection3464150500Missing nonce verification
#722Social Integration for BlueSky3498147700Non-prefixed global variable
#723Tools for Twitter34135871k+Output is not escaped
#724MailerLite – WooCommerce integration34643630k+Output is not escaped
#725PostNL for WooCommerce345971043k+Text Domain Mismatch
#726WP Dummy Content Generator34931306k+Output is not escaped
#727WP Maps – Google Maps,OpenStreetMap,Mapbox,Store Locator,Listing,Directory & Filters3421945360k+wp function not compatible with requires wp
#728WP Random Post Thumbnails34420261k+Text Domain Mismatch
#729WP Ultimate Post Grid34114744k+Missing direct file access protection
#730Advanced Custom Fields: Image Aspect Ratio Crop Field35703720k+Text Domain Mismatch
#731Air WP Sync – Airtable to WordPress3537451k+Non-prefixed hook name
#732Awin – Advertiser Tracking for WooCommerce3546391k+Non Singular String Literal Domain
#733Block User Account352801431k+Unsafe printing function
#734BlossomThemes Toolkit353475230k+Output is not escaped
#735Tooltipy (tooltips for WP)353701251k+Text Domain Mismatch
#736BORICA Payments by BORICA AD35537196500Text Domain Mismatch
#737BotWriter – AI Writer & SEO Content Generator35165043k+Direct Query
#738BuddyPress Activity Filter352566400Nonce verification recommended
#739Custom Order Status Manager for WooCommerce356306730k+Text Domain Mismatch
#740Registration Options for BuddyPress35471321k+Non-prefixed function
#741Buying Buddy IDX CRM – Real Estate MLS Plugin3571240500Request data is not unslashed
#742Content Mask35503501k+Non-prefixed global variable
#743Kit (formerly ConvertKit) for WooCommerce35213184k+Text Domain Mismatch
#744Coupon X – Discount Popups, Promo Codes Pop Ups for WooCommerce & Announcement Popups35301681k+Non-prefixed global variable
#745CubeWP Framework35114714k+wp function not compatible with requires wp
#746Datafeedr Product Sets356022065k+Output is not escaped
#747Deposits & Partial Payments for WooCommerce351741445k+Text Domain Mismatch
#748Product Bundle Builder for WooCommerce351521386k+Text Domain Mismatch
#749Easy Watermark35825330k+Non-prefixed global variable
#750Elementor Website Builder – more than just a page builder354642810m+Non-prefixed global variable