In this article, you will learn how you can optimize a database in a few really simple steps. This may help with ongoing issues that your site experience such as being slow or removing unnecessary content (spam comments, duplicated data, etc.)
Step 1. Install and activate the WP-sweep plugin.
To install the plugin, you can search for it straight in your WordPress Dashboard (you can log in to your backend area by adding /wp-admin at the end of your website’s URL, eg. https://mywebsite.com/wp-admin).
Click on Add New (1) in your Plugins menu, then type wp-sweep (2) into the search bar. Press Install Now (3) next to the plugin, and then activate.
Once it’s activated, you can find the plugin’s settings in the Tools area of your WordPress dashboard.
Step 2. Optimize the database.
Before you do any sweep we would highly recommend backing up your database first as the optimization done by the plugin is irreversible.
Once you’re in the wp-sweep plugin options you will find a Database Sweep (1) option at the bottom of the page. All you need to do is to press the Sweep button (2):
If you’re wondering what exactly will be cleaned up by the plugin, please read below:
- Revisions
- Auto drafts
- Deleted comments
- Unapproved comments
- Spammed comments
- Deleted comments
- Orphaned post meta
- Orphaned comment meta
- Orphaned user meta
- Orphaned term meta
- Orphan term relationships
- Unused terms
- Duplicated post meta
- Duplicated comment meta
- Duplicated user meta
- Duplicated term meta
- Transient options
- Optimizes database tables
- oEmbed caches in post meta
Once the plugin indicates that the procedure is complete – congratulations! You’ve now optimized your database.
If you get stuck with anything discussed on this page, please get in touch with WPX Support Team via live chat (use the bottom right-hand widget) and they will respond and help within 30 seconds or less.