WordPress.DB.SlowDBQuery.slow_db_query_tax_query
slow db query tax 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Themify Builder | 9 | 5,304 | 2,136 | 5k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #2 | MDTF – Meta Data and Taxonomies Filter | 16 | 1,550 | 1,956 | 1k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #3 | RestroPress – Online Food Ordering System | 17 | 524 | 3,155 | 1k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #4 | wpForo Forum | 17 | 4,048 | 2,922 | 20k+ | Unsafe printing function | ||
| #5 | Podlove Podcast Publisher | 18 | 2,354 | 1,433 | 3k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #6 | Property Hive | 18 | 1,957 | 6,027 | 3k+ | Missing nonce verification | ||
| #7 | WPPizza – A Restaurant Plugin | 18 | 4,689 | 2,703 | 1k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #8 | Element Pack Addons for Elementor – Elementor Widgets, Elementor Templates, Elementor Addons | 19 | 10,340 | 360 | 100k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #9 | Block Slider – Responsive Image Slider, Video Slider & Post Slider | 19 | 555 | 1,291 | 3k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #10 | AI Infographic Maker | 19 | 1,383 | 599 | 600 | Output is not escaped | ||
| #11 | JetFormBuilder — Dynamic Blocks Form Builder | 19 | 2,103 | 1,604 | 80k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #12 | Membership Plugin – Kadence Memberships | 19 | 5,082 | 2,982 | 9k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #13 | SendPress Newsletters | 19 | 2,293 | 1,422 | 1k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #14 | SureCart – Ecommerce Made Easy For Selling Physical Products, Digital Downloads, Subscriptions, Donations, & Payments | 19 | 533 | 1,149 | 80k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #15 | WPJAM Basic | 19 | 325 | 346 | 4k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #16 | Brizy – Page Builder | 20 | 586 | 726 | 70k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #17 | Broadstreet | 20 | 434 | 273 | 700 | Output is not escaped | ||
| #18 | Download Monitor | 20 | 423 | 1,364 | 80k+ | Non-prefixed hook name | ||
| #19 | GiveWP – Donation Plugin and Fundraising Platform | 20 | 3,411 | 3,559 | 100k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #20 | Link Library | 20 | 1,942 | 1,394 | 10k+ | Unsafe printing function | ||
| #21 | MAS Videos | 20 | 519 | 1,693 | 1k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #22 | Remove Add to Cart WooCommerce | 20 | 616 | 1,378 | 4k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #23 | Premium Packages – Sell Digital Products Securely | 20 | 2,032 | 2,190 | 2k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #24 | Forumax – AI Powered Advanced Community Forum Plugin | 21 | 4,936 | 4,353 | 600 | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #25 | bbPress | 21 | 929 | 3,672 | 100k+ | Non-prefixed function | ||
| #26 | rtMedia for WordPress, BuddyPress and bbPress | 21 | 363 | 647 | 7k+ | Non-prefixed constant | ||
| #27 | BWD Elementor Addons | 21 | 670 | 1,168 | 400 | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #28 | Cost Calculator Builder | 21 | 322 | 766 | 30k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #29 | DELUCKS SEO | 21 | 362 | 1,171 | 400 | Missing nonce verification | ||
| #30 | eRoom – Webinar & Meeting Plugin for Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams | 21 | 186 | 437 | 9k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #31 | EventPrime – Events Calendar, Bookings and Tickets | 21 | 873 | 4,308 | 7k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #32 | Filter Everything — WordPress & WooCommerce Filters | 21 | 643 | 933 | 50k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #33 | Frontend Dashboard | 21 | 384 | 945 | 500 | Non-prefixed function | ||
| #34 | LA-Studio Element Kit for Elementor | 21 | 8,403 | 1,882 | 10k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #35 | Mapster WP Maps | 21 | 3,440 | 2,894 | 3k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #36 | Mergado Pack | 21 | 2,323 | 588 | 700 | Output is not escaped | ||
| #37 | MotoPress Hotel Booking | 21 | 3,067 | 1,037 | 10k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #38 | Points Management System For Gamification, Ranks, Badges, and Loyalty Rewards Program – myCred | 21 | 1,478 | 3,337 | 10k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #39 | PublishPress Planner – Editorial Calendar, Marketing Content, Kanban Board | 21 | 603 | 890 | 6k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #40 | Five Star Restaurant Reservations – WordPress Booking Plugin | 21 | 1,101 | 1,159 | 10k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #41 | Royal Addons for Elementor – Addons and Templates Kit for Elementor | 21 | 13,011 | 2,530 | 600k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #42 | ThirstyAffiliates – Affiliate Links, Link Branding, Link Tracking & Marketing Plugin | 21 | 190 | 660 | 30k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #43 | Revive Social – Social Media Auto Post and Scheduling Automation Plugin | 21 | 256 | 431 | 20k+ | Non-prefixed hook name | ||
| #44 | Uncanny Automator – Easy Automation, Integration, Webhooks & Workflow Builder Plugin | 21 | 1,064 | 2,975 | 40k+ | Direct Query | ||
| #45 | UPC/EAN/GTIN Barcode Generator/Importer | 21 | 776 | 311 | 500 | Exception output is not escaped | ||
| #46 | WooCommerce | 21 | 1,343 | 6,212 | 7m+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #47 | PPOM – Product Addons & Custom Fields for WooCommerce | 21 | 336 | 1,319 | 20k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #48 | WP Extended – The Ultimate WordPress Toolkit | 21 | 1,253 | 398 | 600 | Non Singular String Literal Domain | ||
| #49 | WPScan – WordPress Security Scanner | 21 | 527 | 265 | 8k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #50 | 12 Step Meeting List | 22 | 156 | 593 | 900 | Non-prefixed global variable |
