Using Google's Cache

The Google Cache is a powerful feature offered by the world's largest search engine.   Typically when you click on one of Google's recommended links you go to the actual website.   If you find the page is missing or has changed and no longer contains the information you seek, you can drop back on Google's ‘Cached' feature.   You can use this feature if the word ‘Cached' appears at the end of the ‘snippets' paragraph on the Google hit list.   Clicking ‘Cached' will take you to Google's index copy of the page (rather than to the actual website).   The cached page will appear with your keywords highlighted, making it easier for you to skim to the pertinent information.

Example:

google screen shot with the word cached circled indicating a stored copy of a page on google's database.

The Google cache: Operator

Google also provides a specific operator that will reveal the current version of the webpage in the Google index. To use this operator type it into the Google search bar. The syntax is:   cache: www.domainname.com   Remember, there is no space between the operator cache: and the URL. The feature won't work if you insert a space.

Example:  

screen shot of google with cache: operator highlighted

If you decide the cached information is crucial, consider making an archive copy of the page. After all, next time Google updates the index, it's likely that the Cache copy will be removed or replaced.

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Authored by Dennis O'Connor 2003