# Always Use != blank

Use `!= blank` for all presence checks. `blank` covers nil, empty string `""`, and empty arrays — the other comparisons miss cases.

```liquid
{% comment %} BAD: nil misses empty strings {% endcomment %}
{%- if section.settings.title != nil -%}

{% comment %} BAD: empty misses nil {% endcomment %}
{%- if section.settings.title != empty -%}

{% comment %} GOOD: blank covers nil, "", and empty arrays {% endcomment %}
{%- if section.settings.title != blank -%}
  <h2>{{ section.settings.title }}</h2>
{%- endif -%}
```

Never use `!= nil` or `!= empty` in Shopify Liquid. Always use `!= blank`.