A cache can be found on PCs, a browser or servers. Cache is used to describe any type of temporary storage. It is also known as the “buffer storage”. This cache enables the user to access data that is accessed frequently or at short notice more quickly. This includes, for example, login data that does not have to be reloaded for each retrieval thanks to the cache. The user is not even aware of the storage processes as they run in the background.
Cache at Google
Search engines such as Google also have a cache for their SERPs. Google’s cache fulfills more than just one function. All contents of websites that are relevant to the user’s query are stored by the search engine. The search engine server searches for the most suitable and up-to-date web content that is suitable for answering the respective search queries. This is done via an index in the cache memory. Only in this way can Google guarantee that all relevant results of user input are displayed in a fraction of a second.
- Crawler
A crawler is used when the search for content from the Internet becomes independent. Google crawls a website at regular intervals. For example, such a web crawler frequency remains current for between 1-4 weeks. As soon as Google has crawled a website, this is saved in the cache. If a website is unavailable for a short time due to a server error or error in the CMS, the previous version from the cache is displayed.
- SEO
To avoid the disadvantages of caching, it is possible to use a meta tag“No-Cache”. Caching is prevented by “no-cache” in the website code. The crawler can also receive information about how regularly changes are made to the website.
As soon as changes are made to a website, the website operator has the option of reporting this to Google. The content is then read again by the web crawler in the shortest possible time and updated in the cache.
The information from the website’s cache shows whether a search engine operator has made changes to its algorithm. The observations from this can be taken into account in the search engine optimization of the website.
The cache of a browser
Normally, the cache of a browser is a large and fast memory that stores the essential content of a website on the computer. The user cannot see which content the cache retains and which it does not. You could also call the cache the browser’s short-term memory. The computer can access the cache faster than the general working memory (RAM).
Empty cache
As soon as the cache has cached all the information from the browser, server or other programs after a certain time, it can happen that there is ultimately too much information. This slows down the computer or even the smartphone. If this is the case, the cache memory should be deleted. After deleting the cache memory, in most cases you will have to log in again to all websites. Regularly deleting the cache is an option if you want to make your traces in the browser unrecognizable.
