---
title: >-
  Bare query strings no longer bust the cache for assets - Shopify developer
  changelog
description: >-
  Shopify’s developer changelog documents all changes to Shopify’s platform.
  Find the latest news and learn about new platform opportunities.
source_url:
  html: >-
    https://shopify.dev/changelog/posts/bare-query-strings-no-longer-bust-the-cache-for-assets
  md: >-
    https://shopify.dev/changelog/posts/bare-query-strings-no-longer-bust-the-cache-for-assets.md
metadata:
  effectiveApiVersion: ''
  affectedApi: []
  primaryTag:
    displayName: Themes
    handle: dev_themes
  secondaryTag:
    displayName: New
    handle: new
  indicatesActionRequired: true
  createdAt: '2026-02-26T14:12:29-05:00'
  postedAt: '2026-03-02T09:15:00-05:00'
  updatedAt: '2026-03-02T09:07:07-05:00'
  effectiveAt: '2026-02-27T12:00:00-05:00'
---

March 2, 2026

# Bare query strings no longer bust the cache for assets

DateMarch 2, 2026

FlagsNew[Action required](https://shopify.dev/changelog?action_required=true)

SurfacesThemes

## Action required

We're enhancing Shopify's asset caching to improve load times. As part of this update, we are modifying the URL query parameters recognized for cache busting.

Effective March 24, 2026, bare query strings (a `?` followed by a value with no key) will not refresh cached assets. Previously, these strings appeared to refresh assets because altering the URL could bypass the cache; this incidental behavior will be discontinued.

If your asset URLs are generated with Liquid filters (such as `asset_url`), you’re already compatible—no changes are necessary.

## What’s changing

Referencing assets (e.g., images, fonts) with a URL containing a bare query string will no longer refresh the cached asset when the value is updated.

For example:

```
image.png?123
```

The same applies within CSS:

```css
background-image: url('image.png?123');
```

## What to do

Use the appropriate Liquid filter to generate URLs (e.g., `asset_url`, `file_url`). Shopify handles versioning and updates the URL automatically whenever the asset changes.

In templates:

```liquid
{{ 'image.png' | asset_url }}
```

This outputs a URL with a version parameter:

```
image.png?v=1384022871
```

In CSS, use a `.css.liquid` file to incorporate Liquid:

```css
background-image: url('{{ "image.png" | asset_url }}');
```

## Why this matters

Continuing to use bare query strings may result in stale assets being served until the cache expires. Using Liquid filters ensures that the correct, current version of each asset is delivered, enhancing performance by enabling more effective CDN and browser caching.

## Learn more

* [asset\_url](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/liquid/filters/asset_url) filter
* [file\_url](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/liquid/filters/file_url) filter
* [CSS syntax to ensure automatic updates](https://shopify.dev/docs/storefronts/themes/best-practices/performance/platform#css-syntax-to-ensure-automatic-updates)