Optimized WordPress Database by Removing 4 GB of Unnecessary AIOSEO Data in 2 Hours
A client reported repeated server resource limit issues on their WordPress website hosted on GoDaddy, resulting in slow website performance and occasional downtime.
Our development team investigated the WordPress installation, active plugins, and database to identify potential causes of excessive resource usage. During the database analysis, we discovered that two AIOSEO-related tables had accumulated approximately 4 GB of unnecessary log and cache Tables.
Our team identified the oversized tables, cleaned the unnecessary database data, prepared the optimized database for testing and migration, and verified it in a local environment.
Result: Unnecessary database data removed, database size optimized, and the website prepared for improved performance and migration.
Website reported server resource issues → GTPL investigated → identified excessive database growth → cleaned approximately 4 GB of unnecessary data → optimized database for testing and migration
How We Investigated
Our development team performed a detailed review of the WordPress website, including active plugins and database usage.
The investigation included:
- Reviewing active WordPress plugins and their configurations.
- Checking the database for unnecessary and excessive data.
- Analyzing database table sizes to identify unusually large tables.
- Reviewing WordPress-side performance and database activity.
During the WordPress/database analysis, we identified unusually large AIOSEO-related tables:
wp_aioseo_crawl_cleanup_logs
wp_aioseo_cache
Together, these tables had accumulated approximately 4 GB of data, significantly increasing the overall database size.
Further investigation of CPU usage, PHP processes, concurrent connections, and server-level resource consumption required GoDaddy’s server monitoring tools and logs.
Root Cause
The primary issue identified during the WordPress and database investigation was excessive database growth caused by accumulated AIOSEO-related log and cache data.
The following tables contained a significant amount of unnecessary data:
- wp_aioseo_crawl_cleanup_logs
- wp_aioseo_cache
The approximately 4 GB of data increased the database size and could potentially affect database operations, backups, migration performance, and overall website maintenance.
The exact cause of repeated CPU/PHP resource spikes required further server-level investigation through GoDaddy Support, as detailed server monitoring and process logs are available at the hosting level.
Our Solution
Our developers:
- Reviewed all active WordPress plugins and their configurations.
- Performed a detailed database analysis.
- Identified unusually large database tables.
- Traced excessive database growth to AIOSEO log/cache tables.
- Cleared unnecessary data from:
Wp_aioseo_crawl_cleanup_logs.
wp_aioseo_cache. - Prepared a cleaned and optimized database for testing and migration.
- Verified the cleaned database in a local environment.
- Continued WordPress-side performance optimization and plugin/database review.
- Recommended server-level monitoring through GoDaddy Support for recurring CPU/ PHP resource issues.
Result
Database Optimized Successfully
After cleaning the unnecessary AIOSEO log/cache tables, approximately 4 GB of excessive database data was removed.
The cleaned database was verified in a local environment before being used for further testing and migration activities.
The investigation also identified the importance of regularly monitoring database growth, particularly log and cache tables that can accumulate large amounts of unnecessary historical data over time.
The Value We Delivered
Issue Identified: Repeated server resource limit issues and excessive database growth
Root Cause: Approximately 4 GB of accumulated AIOSEO log/cache tables
Investigation: WordPress plugins, database tables, database size, and WordPress-side performance review
Resolution: Unnecessary AIOSEO log/cache tables identified and cleaned
Database Optimization: Cleaned database prepared and verified in a local environment
Prevention: Regular database monitoring and periodic cleanup of unnecessary log and cache data recommended
Server-Level Recommendation: GoDaddy Support to monitor CPU usage, PHP processes, concurrent connections, and server logs for recurring resource spikes
