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.

Affected Plugins

RankPluginScoreErrorsWarningsInstallsAddedUpdatedTop Issue
#101WCFM Marketplace – Multivendor Marketplace for WooCommerce221,9371,96910k+Non-prefixed global variable
#102WooCommerce221,3556,1297m+Non-prefixed global variable
#103Advanced AJAX Product Filters222,6831,20550k+Text Domain Mismatch
#104CoDesigner – All in One Elementor WooCommerce Builder224,1317745k+Text Domain Mismatch
#105Simple Shopping Cart2279653610k+Unsafe printing function
#106WP Easy Pay – Payment and Donation form Builder for Square228931,8281k+Non-prefixed global variable
#107WP Express Checkout (Fast Payments via PayPal & Stripe)225916271k+Output is not escaped
#108WP Fusion Lite – Marketing Automation and CRM Integration for WordPress222766835k+Nonce verification recommended
#109User Frontend: AI Powered Frontend Posting, User Directory, Profile, Membership & User Registration222871,43220k+Non-prefixed global variable
#110WPBITS Addons For Elementor Page Builder229961,3992k+Non-prefixed global variable
#111WPFunnels – Funnel Builder for WooCommerce with Checkout & One Click Upsell225,9962,7905k+Text Domain Mismatch
#112WPSSO Core – Complete Schema Markup and Meta Tags221,4074125k+Missing Translators Comment
#113Recipe Cards For Your Food Blog from Zip Recipes221,1261,7311k+Non-prefixed global variable
#114Advanced Custom Fields (ACF®)232,4561,2182m+Text Domain Mismatch
#115AI Engine – The Chatbot, AI Framework & MCP for WordPress23413559100k+error log error log
#116B2BKing — Ultimate WooCommerce B2B and Wholesale Plugin — Wholesale Prices, Bulk Order Form & More231,34740910k+Text Domain Mismatch
#117BA Book Everything231,1841,08610k+Output is not escaped
#118Kadence Security – Password, Two Factor Authentication, and Brute Force Protection231,053967700k+Missing Translators Comment
#119BlossomThemes Email Newsletter2333723920k+Output is not escaped
#120Brave Popup Builder – Popup, Optins, Lead Generation, Survey & Interactive Content2323829420k+error log print r
#121BuddyDrive237221,5971k+Non-prefixed global variable
#122Captivate Sync231745571k+Non-prefixed global variable
#123WPBot – AI ChatBot for Live Support, Lead Generation, AI Services232641,0385k+Non-prefixed global variable
#124Classified Listing – AI-Powered Classified ads & Business Directory231551,8619k+Non-prefixed global variable
#125CleanTalk Anti-Spam. Spam Firewall & Bot protection238261,078200k+Missing nonce verification
#126Content Aware Sidebars – Fastest Widget Area Plugin239931,73830k+Non-prefixed global variable
#127Content Egg – Affiliate Product Importer & Price Comparison231,2311,25710k+Non-prefixed global variable
#128Easy Digital Downloads – eCommerce Payments and Subscriptions made easy233,72310,28340k+Non-prefixed namespace
#129ElementsReady Addons for Elementor232316663k+Non-prefixed global variable
#130Essential Real Estate235295,0608k+Non-prefixed global variable
#131EventON – Events Calendar232,5851,0216k+Text Domain Mismatch
#132Front End PM239782,2645k+Non-prefixed global variable
#133FV Flowplayer Video Player231,3111,45420k+Output is not escaped
#134GamiPress – Gamification plugin to reward points, achievements, badges & ranks in WordPress233,6622,97110k+Output is not escaped
#135The GDPR Framework By Data443231,28751710k+Short PHP open tag found
#136Gmedia Photo Gallery233501,1217k+Non-prefixed global variable
#137Groundhogg — CRM, Newsletters, and Marketing Automation231529502k+Non-prefixed global variable
#138Happy Addons for Elementor23573444400k+Output is not escaped
#139Hunk Companion232,5446876k+Text Domain Mismatch
#140Iks Menu – WordPress Category Accordion Menu & FAQs236151,29310k+Non-prefixed global variable
#141Payment forms, Buy now buttons, and Invoicing System | GetPaid233701,2585k+Non-prefixed global variable
#142Jeg Kit for Elementor – Powerful Addons for Elementor, Widgets & Templates for WordPress2391693300k+Non-prefixed namespace
#143Jetpack – WP Security, Backup, Speed, & Growth232,8211,3033m+Text Domain Mismatch
#144King Addons for Elementor – 80+ Elementor Widgets, 4 000+ Elementor Templates, WooCommerce, Mega Menu, Popup Builder231,8373,87810k+Non-prefixed global variable
#145KiviCare – Clinic & Patient Management System (EHR)232068502k+Direct Query
#146Masteriyo LMS – LMS Course Builder, Quizzes & Certificates231971,7485k+Non-prefixed global variable
#147Like Button Rating ♥ LikeBtn231,2316174k+Unsafe printing function
#148MailPoet – Newsletters, Email Marketing, and Automation23858711500k+Exception output is not escaped
#149Master Addons For Elementor – Widgets, Extensions, Theme Builder, Popup Builder & Template Kits235251,54130k+Non-prefixed global variable
#150MasterStudy LMS WordPress Plugin – for Online Courses and Education231,4194,87510k+Non-prefixed global variable