Did you know that each time you save a draft post to your WordPress blog, the mySQL database stores a record of that post?
Your WordPress database also contains records of each update you make to published posts, and all those spam comments you thought you were deleting when you clicked the ‘Empty Spam' button? Each one of those was also saved to your mySQL database.
Now, while a very large database won't affect your blog's performance speed-wise, it does increase the potential for mySQL database errors, so it is best to get rid of all that useless junk.
If you like to tinker with the inner workings of WordPress, you can modify your wp-config.php file to automate the junk removal.
I however prefer to use WP-Optimize, a free WordPress plugin which completely removes:
- WordPress Autosaves
- Deleted spam comments
- Trashed comments
- Trackbacks and pingbacks
- Comments which not been approved for a set period of time
- Post revisions
- and more…
The plugin will also inform you how much space can be saved, how much is saved and exactly how many of each type of trash was removed from the database after the process is complete — as shown in the following screenshots.
WP-Optimize also allows you to schedule automatic database optimization with the option to retain data for a selected number of weeks and remove any garbage accumulated before that period.
Happy optimizing!
Comments, questions or suggestions? Please leave a comment below!
Cheers,
Thanks for the tip, Fran. I’ll be sure to look into those!
Hello, all is going nicely here and ofcourse every one is sharing data, that’s really good,
keep up writing.
I am really thankful to the holder of this site who has shared this wonderful piece of writing
at at this time.
Very Nice and good you posting, thanks
Thank’s for information.
I wish my blog would be as nice as your blog…
I appreciated your posts..
thanks
Very Helpfull
Using free WordPress plugins to keep your Wp blog up to par is always good. WordPress continues to be a leading semantic blog publishing platform for newbies and advanced affiliate marketers-bloggers to leverage traffic and sales from. And by keeping us informed Ros, WordPress bloggers will definitely be following your lead. 🙂
Hi Rosalind
Thank you for the tip and advice. I am learning lot of info with you
and specially with your book
Thank you
Thanks Rony, that’s great to hear!
This is a great tip as I use lots of WP powered sites!
Thanks.
Thanks for sharing dude
🙂
Hi Rosalind, I love this plugin. I’ve been using it for a couple of years now and the first time I ran it I saw a significant improvement in my blog’s load time.
One thing I have a question about – what does it mean by “transients”? Is it safe to get rid of them?
Thanks!
Hi Ileane,
I read too many horror stories from bloggers who used the plugin to get rid of transients — namely, that whole categories were removed — so I don`t use it. Anything marked in red is probably best to leave alone. 🙂
Cheers,
Ros
Thanks for this very useful information, Ros.
You may also want to have a look at ‘hacker-proofing’ your WordPress site with these free plugins:
bulletproof security and websitedefender-wordpress-security.
I delete them once I’ve completed their settings.
Thanks for the tip, Fran. I’ll be sure to look into those!
Looks like a plugin to go on my essentials list! Thanks I appreciate speed and security tips!
Alex
You’re welcome, Alex!
7 years after buying your ebook, and I still read your emails and blog posts… I owe you and perry marshall a lot….
thanks for the tip… Rosalind!
Thanks for sharing, Tayo. Always happy to help! 🙂