WordPress.DB.SlowDBQuery.slow_db_query_meta_value

slow db query meta value

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
#201Seriously Simple Podcasting2354862730k+Non-prefixed hook name
#202Shipment Tracker for Woocommerce234625592k+Missing Arg Domain
#203Image Optimizer, Resizer and CDN – Sirv236161,0041k+Output is not escaped
#204Site Reviews231,62559860k+Output is not escaped
#205Smart Marketing SMS and Newsletters Forms232,2211,0221k+Text Domain Mismatch
#206Smart Slider 323261268800k+Non-prefixed global variable
#207teachPress237441,5872k+SQL query is not prepared
#208The Events Calendar233,5113,851700k+Text Domain Mismatch
#209Trinity Audio – Text to Speech AI audio player to convert content into audio231192272k+Non-prefixed global variable
#210Tutor LMS – eLearning and online course solution233953,406100k+Non-prefixed global variable
#211Directory Listings WordPress plugin – uListing239471,5731k+Non-prefixed global variable
#212Ultimate Fields23371458700Alternative PHP tag found
#213UsersWP – Front-end login form, User Registration, User Profile & Members Directory plugin for WP236942,43920k+Non-prefixed hook name
#214VK All in One Expansion Unit231,026518100k+Output is not escaped
#215Wallet System for WooCommerce – Digital Wallet, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), Instant Cashback, Referral program, Partial & Subscription Payments231211,2272k+Non-prefixed global variable
#216Peach Payments Gateway232981291k+Non Singular String Literal Domain
#217Product Table & List Builder For WooCommerce231,3612,05910k+Non-prefixed global variable
#218WP All Import – Product Import for WooCommerce231,47520920k+Non Singular String Literal Domain
#219ShopLentor – All-in-One WooCommerce Growth & Store Enhancement Plugin237,4232,18190k+Text Domain Mismatch
#220WP-CRM System – Manage Clients and Projects232971,094800Non-prefixed global variable
#221WP Crowdfunding231991,6292k+Non-prefixed global variable
#222Lead Form Data Collection to CRM232111,698400Non-prefixed global variable
#223WP-Lister Lite for Amazon233,0614,177800Output is not escaped
#224FunnelKit Automations – Email Marketing Automation and CRM for WordPress & WooCommerce239412,17920k+SQL query is not prepared
#225WP Mega Menu239927928k+Non-prefixed global variable
#226WP Migrate Lite – Migration Made Easy23369255200k+Exception output is not escaped
#227Shield Security – Smart Bot Blocking, Brute-Force Login Protection & File Scanning231,11820240k+Missing Translators Comment
#228Track, Analyze & Optimize by WP Tao23895756600Output is not escaped
#229Customer Support Ticket System & Helpdesk231,7191,464400Text Domain Mismatch
#230WP Ultimate CSV Importer – WordPress Import & Export for CSV, XML & Excel231,1583,64220k+Interpolated SQL is not prepared
#231WP Webhooks – Automate repetitive tasks by creating powerful automation workflows directly within WordPress234,37689020k+Output is not escaped
#232WPCal.io – Easy Meeting Scheduler23694595900Direct Query
#233Comments – wpDiscuz236201,18070k+Non-prefixed global variable
#234Xpro Addons For Beaver Builder – Lite233,454640700Text Domain Mismatch
#235Yatra – Travel Booking & Tour Operator Software232,2113,994600Non-prefixed global variable
#236Youzify – BuddyPress Community, User Profile, Social Network & Membership Plugin for WordPress232,3171,7145k+Output is not escaped
#237Zephyr Project Manager236672,4541k+Non-prefixed global variable
#238404 Solution244861,33810k+Non-prefixed class
#239Academy LMS – WordPress LMS Plugin for Complete eLearning Solution241627902k+Non-prefixed global variable
#240Ad Inserter – Ad Manager & AdSense Ads244,260812300k+Output is not escaped
#241AutomatorWP – Automator plugin for no-code automations, webhooks & custom integrations in WordPress241,7051,3937k+Text Domain Mismatch
#242Popup Box – Create Countdown, Coupon, Video, Contact Form Popups244821,25350k+Non-prefixed global variable
#243Barcode Scanner (+Mobile App) – Inventory manager, Order fulfillment system, POS (Point of Sale)241,8371,0631k+Text Domain Mismatch
#244Product Feed Manager For WooCommerce – Sell on 200+ Online Marketplaces242,2483,33810k+slow db query meta key
#245BlockMeister – Block Pattern Builder245801,4051k+Non-prefixed global variable
#246Brands for WooCommerce247986746k+Text Domain Mismatch
#247BrikPanel — WooCommerce Dashboard, Sales Report, Google Sheets Sync, Inventory Management & Bulk Editor243,9741,281400Text Domain Mismatch
#248Captivate Sync241735571k+Non-prefixed global variable
#249CleanTalk Anti-Spam. Spam Firewall & Bot protection248251,079200k+Missing nonce verification
#250RepairBuddy – Repair Shop CRM & Booking Plugin for WordPress248283,665500Request data is not unslashed