How to use Wayback Snapshot Lookup
- Enter the full URLType the address into Public URL, including https://.
- Look up a snapshotRun the lookup to ask the Internet Archive for the closest available snapshot of that address.
- Open the archived pageFollow the link to view the snapshot, or use the Wayback Machine search link if none was found.
Common uses
- See an older version of a page that has changed
- Recover wording from a page that is now offline
- Check whether a competitor page existed at an earlier date
Frequently asked questions
How do I use Wayback Snapshot Lookup?
1. Enter the full URL: Type the address into Public URL, including https://. 2. Look up a snapshot: Run the lookup to ask the Internet Archive for the closest available snapshot of that address. 3. Open the archived page: Follow the link to view the snapshot, or use the Wayback Machine search link if none was found.
Does this show Google’s cached copy?
No. Google retired its public cached-page feature, so this tool looks up the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine instead. The tool keeps its old address but no longer checks anything at Google.
Which snapshot do I get?
The Internet Archive returns the closest snapshot it has for the URL, and the tool shows its date with a link to open it. It does not list every capture; use the Wayback Machine search link for the full history.
Why was no snapshot found?
The page may never have been archived, may be blocked from archiving, or the exact URL may differ from the captured one, for example with or without www. Try variations of the address in the Wayback Machine search.
What happens to the URL I enter?
The GigaTools server sends the URL to the Internet Archive’s availability service and shows the answer. The page itself is not fetched. Server lookups like this are protected by reCAPTCHA and a daily per-IP limit.