when building web APIs, choosing the correct HTTP method is an important part of API design. For many years, developers have mainly used GET to retrieve data and POST to send data to the server.
These methods work well for most applications, but they also have limitations. Modern applications often need to perform complex searches with multiple filters, sorting options, and advanced conditions. In these situations, developers usually have to choose between using a long GET URL or using POST for a read-only operation.
To solve this problem, the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) introduced a new HTTP method called QUERY in RFC 10008, published in June 2026. It's the first new HTTP method to become an official standard in more than two decades.
In this article, we'll explore what the HTTP QUERY method is, why it was introduced, and how it can improve API design.
The Challenge with GET Requests
