Enhance WP_Query ordering logic by normalizing 'date' to 'date, ID' for consistent cache key generation. This change ensures deterministic results when 'date' is specified as the orderby value, improving query consistency.

Author: ramonjd

src/wp-includes/class-wp-query.php

@@ -5109,9 +5109,13 @@ protected function generate_cache_key( array $args, $sql ) {
 			sort( $args['post_status'] );
 		}
 
+		// Add a default orderby value of date to ensure same cache key generation.
 		// Add a default orderby value of date to ensure same cache key generation.
 		if ( ! isset( $args['orderby'] ) ) {
 			$args['orderby'] = 'date, ID';
+		} elseif ( $args['orderby'] === 'date' ) {
+			// Normalize 'date' to 'date, ID' to match deterministic ordering
+			$args['orderby'] = 'date, ID';
 		}
 
 		$placeholder = $wpdb->placeholder_escape();