Knowledgebase: Cache

Caches might be the culprit

So, you made changes to your website, but they don’t show up for you or your users when visiting the site. The solution– Try visiting your website in a Private or Incognito Window.

What is an Incognito Window?

An Incognito or Private tab/window is a browsing feature of web browsers that doesn’t store things like cookies, caches, and other site data. These are things that are traditionally remembered and stored on your device when in the standard browsing mode.

Why is an incognito window  useful when it comes to seeing my page edits?

Browsers cache website data to ensure a faster reload time and better user experience  the next time you visit that same site. When a cache contains information from a past visit  and hasn’t been refreshed or reloaded, you could see outdated information. This is when private, or incognito, windows can be helpful, because they do not rely on website data from your device’s caches, nor do they store any. When using an incognito window, you should be  able to see any updates or changes you’ve made  because it will be like opening your website for the first time. 

How do I use a Private Window in:

• Chrome
  • For desktop, open Google Chrome and in the top right corner of the browser, click the three vertically arranged dots. In the dropdown menu select, New Incognito Window.
  • For mobile, open Google Chrome and in the bottom right of the page, click the three horizontally arranged dots. A menu screen will pop-up and you’ll want to select New Incognito Tab.

• Edge
  • For desktop, open Microsoft Edge and in the top right corner of the browser, click the three horizontally arranged dots. In the dropdown menu select, New InPrivate Window.
  • For mobile, open Edge and in the bottom center of the page, tap on the horizontally arranged dots that are encircled in an oval. A menu will pop-up and you will click on the New InPrivate tab option.
• Firefox
  • For desktop, open Firefox and in the top right corner of the browser, click on the three horizontal lines. In the dropdown menu select, New Private Window.
  • For mobile, open Firefox and in the bottom right, tap on the number encased in a box that lets you know how many tabs you currently have open. Then at the top of the page, select the middle mask icon. Lastly, tap on the + in the bottom right corner of the page.
• Safari
  • For desktop, open Safari and on the top left side of your Menu Bar, click File > New Private Window.
  • For mobile, open Safari and tap on the tabs icon in the lower left corner of the page. All of your opened tabs will show up and you’ll click the Tab Groups menu in the bottom center of the tab bar. A menu will pop up and you should click Private.

If you can’t see the changes to your site, no need to stress! Just try viewing it in a Private Window.

Are different users seeing different things when visiting your website? Caches might be storing old data

Have you ever been out with your mom and she starts showing random strangers your website, but you notice the way it looks on her phone is different than when the waiter just opened it up on their phone? Confusing and frustrating, we know. If your website looks different for different users, it is probably due to caches.

What is a cache?

A cache is essentially a subset of data that is being saved or stored. Caching is a common practice used by web browsers to ensure a faster reload time the next time you visit that same site. You can kind of think of a cache like the information you remember about an acquaintance; You do not remember everything about them, but there is some information that you will always have stored like their name, their job, etc. If we did not have caches, it would be like meeting a person all over again for the first time, every time. 

However, because web browsers are relying on caches, you might be seeing outdated information. It’s like running into an old friend and asking how their job is. You are relying on stored information–a cache–and they tell you they shifted careers. You have outdated information, just like a cache can sometimes have. But don’t worry, caches can be cleared to make room for new information.

How to clear your cache on:

• Chrome
  • For desktop, open Google Chrome and in the top right corner of the browser, click the three vertically arranged dots. In the dropdown menu, select More Tools > Clear Browsing Data… You’ll then be given a menu page to select a time range and make sure all of those boxes below are checked. Lastly, click Clear data in the bottom right corner.
  • For mobile, open Google Chrome and in the bottom right of the page, click the three horizontally arranged dots. A menu screen will pop-up and you’ll want to select Clear Browsing Data. You should make sure that Cookies, Site Data and Cached Images and Files are checked. Lastly, tap Clear Browsing Data at the bottom.

• Edge
  • For desktop, open Microsoft Edge and in the top right corner of the browser, click the three horizontally arranged dots. In the dropdown menu select, History. From the new menu that pops up, click the three horizontally arranged dots in the top right corner. And then click Clear browsing data. On the new page, select your time range and make sure there is a check mark next to Cookies and other site data as well as Cached images and files. Lastly, click Clear now in the bottom left.
  • For mobile, open Edge and in the bottom center of the page, tap on the horizontally arranged dots that are encircled in an oval. A menu will pop up and tap on History. In the top right, tap the trash can icon. Select your time and make sure there is a check mark next to Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. Lastly, click Clear now at the bottom.
• Firefox
  • For desktop, open Firefox and in the top right corner of the browser, click on the three horizontal lines. In the dropdown menu, click History > Clear Recent History… Select your time range and make sure Cache is selected in the items list. Lastly, click OK.
  • For mobile, open Firefox and in the bottom right corner, tap on the three horizontally arranged lines. In that pop-up menu, tap History. Then in the bottom left corner, tap on the trash can icon. Lastly, select your time range.
• Safari
  • For desktop, open Safari and in the top Menu Bar, click History > Clear History… at the bottom. Select a time range and then click Clear History in the bottom right corner.
  • For mobile, open Safari and tap on the opened book icon in the lower left of the page. Select the clock icon on the left and in the lower right tap Clear. Lastly, select your time range.

If your site is looking different for different users, tell them to clear their cache history as old data is being saved.

Use incognito mode or a private window in your browser to see changes to your website

Using a Private Window in Google Chrome:

Desktop:

1. Open the Google Chrome application on your desktop.
2. Locate the three vertically arranged dots in the top right corner of the browser.
3. Click on these dots to open a dropdown menu.
4. In the dropdown menu, select the option that says “New Incognito Window”.

Mobile:

1. Open the Google Chrome application on your mobile device.
2. Look for the three horizontally arranged dots in the bottom right corner of the page.
3. Tap these dots to open a menu screen.
4. In the menu screen, select “New Incognito Tab.”

Using a Private Window in Microsoft Edge:

Desktop:

1. Open the Microsoft Edge application on your desktop.
2. In the top right corner of the browser, find the three horizontally arranged dots.
3. Click on these dots to open a dropdown menu.
4. In the dropdown menu, select “New InPrivate Window”.

Mobile:

1. Open the Microsoft Edge application on your mobile device.
2. In the bottom center of the page, tap on the horizontally arranged dots that are encircled in an oval.
3. A menu will pop up, click on the “New InPrivate Tab” option.

Using a Private Window in Firefox:

Desktop:

1. Open the Firefox application on your desktop.
2. In the top right corner of the browser, locate the three horizontal lines.
3. Click on these lines to open a dropdown menu.
4. In the dropdown menu, select “New Private Window”.

Mobile:

1. Open the Firefox application on your mobile device.
2. In the bottom right, tap on the number encased in a box (this indicates the number of tabs you currently have open).
3. At the top of the page, select the mask icon in the middle.
4. Lastly, tap on the “+” icon in the bottom right corner of the page.

Using a Private Window in Safari:

Desktop:

1. Open the Safari application on your desktop.
2. On the top left side of your Menu Bar, click “File”.
3. A menu will drop down, click “New Private Window” from this menu.

Mobile:

1. Open the Safari application on your mobile device.
2. Tap on the tabs icon (it looks like two overlapped squares) in the lower-left corner of the page.
3. All your opened tabs will appear, click the “Tab Groups” menu at the bottom of the tab bar.
4. A menu will pop up, click “Private” from this menu.