Segment-based URL vs Query Strings

Yes, as long as you pass data through the URL, whether in a query string or as a URI segment, it will be limited to valid URL characters. Otherwise, you would have to pass the data as part of a post (in a form or using something like $.post() in jQuery), which would also mean that users would not be able to use a specific URL to return to the filtered results.

Bonfire

Practical CodeIgniter 3
CodeIgniter Testing Guide