Removing version query strings from asset URLs (e.g., turning style.css?ver=1.2.3 into
style.css) is sometimes suggested to improve caching, but the benefits are nuanced. Many
CDNs and modern browsers cache resources effectively regardless of query strings. Version parameters
actually provide a simple, reliable cache‑busting mechanism: when you deploy a new version, the URL
changes and browsers fetch the latest file immediately. If you remove versions without implementing a
file‑name hashing strategy (like style.1.2.3.css), users may continue to receive stale
CSS/JS long after a deploy.
In WP Lightning Load, the “remove version info” option is available for teams that prefer cleaner URLs or
use alternative cache‑busting approaches. If you enable it, ensure your build or deployment process
handles asset revisioning, and coordinate with CDN caching rules so purges occur when needed. Otherwise,
keep version strings enabled; they are simple, compatible, and reduce the risk of stale assets lingering
in caches. As always, measure before and after—you may find that removing versions yields little benefit
compared to potential maintenance overhead.
In short, version removal is optional and should be used only within a broader cache strategy. Stability
and correctness outweigh marginal aesthetic gains.