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
#1151OTP Login With Phone Number, OTP Verification92323900Non-prefixed hook name
#1152Revision Manager TMC9240141k+Text Domain Mismatch
#1153Feed For TikTok Shop93114400wp function not compatible with requires wp
#1154LinkCentral – URL shortener, Custom Links & Affiliate Link Shortener with Link Tracking937225400Direct Query
#1155Market Exporter9310201k+Non-prefixed hook name
#1156SharkDropship & Affiliate for AliExpress, eBay, Amazon, Etsy and Temu9310523500Text Domain Mismatch
#1157ElementCamp9411781k+Post Not In exclude
#1158Hello Plus94153880k+Post Not In exclude
#1159JobBoardWP – Job Board Listings and Submissions9412441k+slow db query meta query
#1160MyParcel942848k+Non-prefixed global variable
#1161WPBean Form Popup for WPForms and Contact Form 7 – Create Popup Forms Easily9422600Direct Query
#1162Manage – Centralized site maintenance and monitoring9554760k+Direct Query
#1163Mystery Themes Demo Importer95767k+Non-prefixed global variable
#1164Print Invoice & Delivery Notes for WooCommerce9555830k+Non-prefixed global variable
#1165Portfolio Grid – Filterable Gallery, Grid & Slider Showcase96350900Non-prefixed function
#1166All Sources Images – Free Images from Pixabay, Unsplash, Openverse, Pexels & Giphy9699700wp function not compatible with requires wp
#1167Block, Suspend, Report for BuddyPress96324600slow db query meta query
#1168Bulk Delete9622630k+slow db query meta key
#1169ElementInvader Addons for Elementor964603k+Missing Version
#1170Admin Help Docs97931500Non-prefixed global variable
#1171Advanced Query Loop971116k+Non-prefixed hook name
#1172BtW Importer – Free Blogger/Blogspot Migration972400Database parameter is not escaped
#1173Gutentor – Gutenberg Blocks – Page Builder for Gutenberg Editor973530k+Post Not In post not in
#1174Order Export for WooCommerce97312k+Missing Version
#1175Overwrite Uploads97341k+Missing direct file access protection
#1176Prevent Concurrent Logins97210900Non-prefixed function
#1177Smart Search & Product Filter for WooCommerce – Searchanise97224900Non-prefixed global variable
#1178Surfer – WordPress Plugin971256k+Direct Query
#1179Twentig Supercharged Block Editor – Blocks, Patterns, Starter Sites, Portfolio97127020k+Text Domain Mismatch
#1180Vitepos – Point of Sale (POS) for WooCommerce97282k+slow db query meta query
#1181Accessibility Widget by OneTap – Easy One-Click Accessibility Toolbar9841850k+Non-prefixed global variable
#1182Add Custom Codes – Insert Header, Footer, Custom PHP Snippets, CSS, Javascript98231k+Forbidden PHP function found
#1183Style Kits for Elementor9821510k+Non-prefixed constant
#1184Angie – Agentic AI (Beta)981780k+Discouraged PHP function
#1185Easy Primary Category98251k+Non-prefixed constant
#1186Lordicon9822600Non-prefixed function
#1187WP Customer Reviews981120k+slow db query meta query
#1188WPC Coupon Listing for WooCommerce98181k+Non-prefixed class
#1189Absolute Reviews99346k+wp function not compatible with requires wp
#1190Delete All Products for WooCommerce99154k+slow db query meta query
#1191Post Type Transfer99443k+Missing direct file access protection
#1192Timeline Widget For Elementor (Elementor Timeline, Vertical & Horizontal Timeline)991370k+Non-prefixed class