WP Remove Query Strings From Static Resources

WP Remove Query Strings From Static Resources is a lightweight, zero-configuration WordPress plugin that automatically removes query strings (like ?ver=6.6) from your local CSS and JavaScript file URLs. It intelligently ignores external resources (such as third-party APIs like Google Maps) to prevent breaking their functionality, and features strict extension checking to protect dynamic scripts. By default, WordPress appends version parameters to static resource URLs — for example: https://example.com/style.css?ver=6.6 While this helps with cache-busting during development, it prevents proxy servers and CDN networks from properly caching these files, which hurts your website's performance score. This plugin strips those query strings, turning URLs like: https://example.com/style.css?ver=6.6 into clean, cacheable URLs like: https://example.com/style.css Why Does This Matter? Speed is a critical ranking factor for search engines. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, Pingdom, and YSlow flag query strings on static resources as a performance issue. Removing them can:

• ✅ Improve your website performance score
• ✅ Enable better proxy and CDN caching
• ✅ Reduce page load time for returning visitors
• ✅ Contribute to better SEO rankings
• ✅ Improve overall user experience

How It Works Once activated, the plugin hooks into WordPress's built-in script_loader_src and style_loader_src filters and silently removes all query string parameters from your local CSS and JS URLs — on the frontend only. The WordPress admin dashboard is never affected. No setup required. No settings page. Just install, activate, and you're done. Features

• Removes all query string parameters from local CSS and JS URLs (not just ?ver)
• Safely ignores external resources to avoid breaking third-party scripts and APIs
• Strictly targets files ending in .css and .js to protect dynamic PHP scripts enqueued as styles/scripts
• Works automatically on activation — no configuration needed
• Frontend-only — does not affect the WordPress admin area
• Extremely lightweight — zero impact on page generation time
• Compatible with all themes and plugins

Learn more about Query Strings on Wikipedia Upgrade to Pro Get even faster load times and more advanced features with Pro!

• Advanced Caching & Compression: Browser Caching with Customizable Cache Durations, GZIP Compression, Cache-Control Headers, Keep-Alive, and ETag Removal.
• Code Minification: Minify CSS, JS, and HTML, plus Delay JavaScript for a massive PageSpeed boost.
• Media & Font Optimization: Lazy Load Images & iFrames, and Google Fonts Optimization.
• Database & Site Health: Database Cleanup, DNS Prefetch, Preload Links, Heartbeat Control, and XML-RPC Disable.
• WooCommerce Ready: Built-in WooCommerce Optimization.
• Settings Admin Page: Easy-to-use interface to manage all features.
• Premium Support & Updates: Get fast, dedicated assistance and regular new features.

Upgrade to Pro!

There are three ways to install this plugin: Option 1: Install via WordPress Dashboard (Recommended)

1. Go to Dashboard > Plugins > Add New.
2. Search for WP Remove Query Strings From Static Resources.
3. Click Install Now, then click Activate.
4. That's it — the plugin works immediately, no configuration needed.

Option 2: Upload via WordPress Dashboard

1. Download the plugin ZIP file from the WordPress Plugin Repository.
2. Go to Dashboard > Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin.
3. Choose the downloaded ZIP file and click Install Now.
4. Activate the plugin from the Plugins page.

Option 3: Upload via FTP

1. Download and extract the plugin ZIP file.
2. Upload the wp-remove-query-strings-from-static-resources folder to /wp-content/plugins/ on your server.
3. Go to Dashboard > Plugins, find the plugin, and click Activate.

2.4

• Added: Strict file extension checking to ensure only .css and .js files are processed, protecting dynamic PHP scripts.
• Added: Safely ignores external resources to prevent breaking third-party APIs like Google Maps.
• Improved: Internal code structure and reliability.

2.3

• Plugin check issues fixed
• Improved code

2.2

• Fixed: Replaced unsafe strtok() with explode() to prevent conflicts with other plugins and WordPress core loops.

2.0

• Improved: Removed unnecessary class property, filter callback now uses local variable
• Improved: Strip all query string parameters (not just ?ver and &ver)
• Improved: Plugin initialised via plugins_loaded hook for correct WP load order
• Added: Requires PHP header (7.4)
• Updated: Requires at least bumped to 5.0
• Updated: Tested up to 7.0
• Fixed: Typos and grammar in readme
• Updated: Readme rewritten for better clarity and SEO

1.8

• Remove additional class

1.7

• Added additional class

1.6

• Tested for WP 6.6

1.5

• Tested for WP 6.3

1.4

• Compatibility WP 6.0

1.3

• 23 Feb, 2019
• Text improved
• Increase Version

1.2

• 3 July, 2017
• Code improved

1.1

• 3 July, 2017
• Compatibility issue

1.0

• 29 June, 2017
• First Release