Browser Caching Explained
Why can’t I see the updates to my web page?
In order to speed up browsing the internet, web browsers are designed to download web pages and store them locally on your device in an area called “cache”.
A browser cache (also known as Internet cache) keeps a copy of every item you have viewed or downloaded while visiting a website. When you revisit a website the browser cache speeds up display time by loading the page locally from cache instead of downloading everything again.
Sometimes if you visit your site frequently while your website is being editted or just been updated, you may see an older cached version of the site. Hence why you won’t see changes right away.
Why does my browser store a copy of every website I visit?
It’s a method integrated into the very first browsers to reduce internet traffic and speed up page loading, long before high-speed internet, broadband, fibre or 4G and 5G.
It means it makes web browsing faster, however when a website designer makes updates the browsers do not pick up on these updates as quickly as we may want. It does mean we hear many times ” You said you made the updates but I cannot see them…” then after refreshing ” Oops sorry that’s great thanks”
How to clear your browser cache and force your browser to refresh content?
To ensure you see the latest version of your website site after updating you need to clear your browser cache memory.
On PC’s
This is done by carrying out a forced refresh by pressing both control and F5 buttons simultaneously on your keyboard for a couple of seconds.
On Apple
On an Apple Mac, use the Command key and press R.
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