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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #701 | HT Slider For Elementor | 50 | 884 | 40 | 20k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #702 | Gutenverse – WordPress Blocks, Page Builder & Site Editor | 51 | 17 | 47 | 20k+ | Non-prefixed hook name | ||
| #703 | Quotes and Tips by BestWebSoft | 51 | 485 | 190 | 1k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #704 | VK Filter Search | 51 | 35 | 71 | 6k+ | Nonce verification recommended | ||
| #705 | WP Counter Up – Animated Number Counter & Milestone Showcase | 51 | 18 | 239 | 1k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #706 | REST API Log | 51 | 44 | 95 | 5k+ | Non-prefixed hook name | ||
| #707 | YayMail – WooCommerce Email Customizer | 51 | 163 | 788 | 50k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #708 | Price Based on Country for WooCommerce | 52 | 43 | 126 | 20k+ | Non-prefixed hook name | ||
| #709 | 워드프레스 결제 심플페이 – 우커머스 결제 플러그인 | 53 | 79 | 92 | 1k+ | Missing direct file access protection | ||
| #710 | Simple Blog Stats | 53 | 25 | 76 | 4k+ | Non-prefixed function | ||
| #711 | aBlocks – Gutenberg Blocks, User Dashboard Builder, Popup Builder, Form Builder & Animation Builder | 54 | 8 | 382 | 2k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #712 | Anant Addons for Elementor – Widgets, Templates & WooCommerce Builder | 54 | 29 | 207 | 700 | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #713 | Helpie FAQ — Accordion, Docs & Knowledge Base | 54 | 96 | 89 | 9k+ | Nonce verification recommended | ||
| #714 | Accordions | 55 | 1 | 101 | 20k+ | slow db query meta query | ||
| #715 | Gutenify – Visual Site Builder Blocks & Site Templates | 55 | 66 | 40 | 5k+ | Missing Arg Domain | ||
| #716 | Quick and Easy Testimonials | 55 | 62 | 32 | 3k+ | Non Singular String Literal Domain | ||
| #717 | WPC Smart Messages for WooCommerce | 55 | 6 | 84 | 1k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #718 | Easy Digital Downloads Featured Downloads | 56 | 15 | 15 | 1k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #719 | MAS Brands for WooCommerce | 56 | 80 | 15 | 10k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #720 | iConvert Promoter | 57 | 98 | 217 | 1k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #721 | Gutenverse Form – Contact Form Builder, Block Form & Booking Form | 58 | 17 | 48 | 10k+ | Nonce verification recommended | ||
| #722 | Quickcreator – AI Blog Writer | 58 | 14 | 18 | 500 | Exception output is not escaped | ||
| #723 | Super Simple Event Calendar | 58 | 8 | 24 | 700 | Request data is not unslashed | ||
| #724 | UiCore Elements – Free widgets and templates for Elementor | 58 | 29 | 30 | 40k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #725 | Blog Designer | 59 | 62 | 83 | 10k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #726 | Posts Order | 59 | 59 | 20 | 1k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #727 | Co-Authors Plus | 59 | 2 | 76 | 20k+ | Input is not sanitized | ||
| #728 | Display Post Types – Post Grid, post list and post sliders | 59 | 24 | 14 | 7k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #729 | Kubio AI Page Builder | 60 | 283 | 77 | 90k+ | Missing direct file access protection | ||
| #730 | Stratum Widgets for Elementor | 60 | 66 | 366 | 20k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #731 | WoowGallery | 60 | 15 | 178 | 1k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #732 | WP Blog Post Layouts | 60 | 36 | 249 | 10k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #733 | CommerceBird – AI Command Center, ERP Integrations & B2B for WooCommerce (Zoho, Exact Online). | 61 | 2 | 162 | 400 | Direct Query | ||
| #734 | Powerkit – Supercharge your WordPress Site | 61 | 67 | 116 | 10k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #735 | Team Showcase | 61 | 1 | 125 | 1k+ | slow db query meta key | ||
| #736 | Products Restricted Users for WooCommerce | 61 | 31 | 24 | 400 | wp function not compatible with requires wp | ||
| #737 | Category Sticky Post | 63 | 4 | 24 | 3k+ | Missing nonce verification | ||
| #738 | Essential Addons for Elementor – Popular Elementor Templates & Widgets | 63 | 78 | 184 | 2m+ | wp function not compatible with requires wp | ||
| #739 | JTL-Connector for WooCommerce | 64 | 7 | 166 | 1k+ | Direct Query | ||
| #740 | WP Search with Algolia | 64 | 27 | 16 | 7k+ | Missing direct file access protection | ||
| #741 | Royal MCP – Secure AI Connector for Claude, ChatGPT & Gemini | 65 | 6 | 33 | 7k+ | Interpolated SQL is not prepared | ||
| #742 | Web and WooCommerce Addons for WPBakery Builder | 65 | 497 | 123 | 1k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #743 | Vf Expansion | 65 | 58 | 52 | 1k+ | Non-prefixed global variable | ||
| #744 | Smart Related Products – AI-Inspired Recommendations for WooCommerce | 67 | 13 | 15 | 1k+ | Output is not escaped | ||
| #745 | Recurio – Ultimate Subscription for WooCommerce | 67 | 311 | 1k+ | Direct Query | |||
| #746 | Series | 68 | 55 | 6 | 2k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #747 | YaySwatches – Variation Swatches for WooCommerce | 68 | 281 | 14 | 1k+ | Text Domain Mismatch | ||
| #748 | Auto Update Post Date | 69 | 11 | 23 | 1k+ | Input is not validated | ||
| #749 | GZSEO | 69 | 3 | 66 | 400 | Direct Query | ||
| #750 | Xpro Slider For Beaver Builder – Lite | 70 | 147 | 13 | 500 | Text Domain Mismatch |
