When was this page last updated?
Paste any web address. We'll look for every clue to when the page last changed: the date on the page, the site's sitemap, the Internet Archive and the website's server. Then we'll tell you which ones to trust.
Why there's no simple answer
Web pages don't carry a reliable “last changed” stamp. Some print a date, some print today's date on every page, and many show nothing at all. So instead of trusting one source, this tool checks four and tells you what each one really means.
The four clues we check
- The date on the page. A “Last updated” or “Effective from” line, or the date the page gives search engines behind the scenes. Usually the best clue, unless it's simply today's date.
- The site's sitemap. The list of pages a site keeps for search engines, often with a date for each. Useful, unless the site gives every page the same date, which many do.
- The Internet Archive. The Wayback Machine's saved copies show between which two dates the page last changed. Popular pages are saved often; small ones rarely.
- The website's server. Some servers say when the file behind a page last changed. Most modern sites build pages fresh on every visit, so this usually just says “now”.
Hear about the next change instead
Working out a date after the fact is detective work. If a page matters to you, it's easier to be told when it changes. A website change monitor like ChangeGist checks the page on a schedule and emails you a plain-English summary of what changed. To see what changed recently, try our free What changed on this page? tool. Our guide on how to know when a website is updated explains each method in more detail.
Questions
How do you work out when a page was last updated?
We look for the same clues a careful person would: a “last updated” date on the page or the date it gives search engines, the date in the site's sitemap, the Internet Archive's saved copies, and the date the website's server sends. We show every clue, say how far each one can be trusted, and give our best estimate.
Why do the dates sometimes disagree?
Each clue measures something different. A page might say “updated 1 March” for its last big edit, while the archive spots a small change last week, and the server simply reports the moment you visited. When they disagree, the date written on the page is usually the one the site means you to see.
Is it free?
Yes, and there's nothing to sign up for. There's a daily limit so it stays quick for everyone.
Can you tell me when it changes next time?
Yes. That's what ChangeGist does: it checks the page on a schedule and emails you a plain-English summary of what changed. You can also leave your email under the answer and we'll tell you once.