How to find the date of a website
As we browse through the internet, we often come across websites that we are unfamiliar with. Sometimes, we may want to know when a website was created or last updated. This information can be useful in determining the website's credibility and relevance. Obtaining published dates can be important for other purposes, such as writing a school essay or preparing a work presentation. Knowing the publication date can help you determine the relevance and reliability of the information you are using.
In this article, we will discuss how to find the date of a website.
Why do I need to find the date of a website?
Finding the date of a website can be useful for various reasons. For instance, it can help you determine the relevancy of the information provided on the website. If the website was last updated a long time ago, the information on it may no longer be accurate or relevant. Additionally, knowing the date of a website can help you identify if it is a reliable source of information. Websites that are regularly updated are often more trustworthy than those that have not been updated in a long time. Overall, finding the date of a website can help you make informed decisions about the information you use and trust online.
There are several ways to find the date of a website. The easiest way is to look for a copyright date or a date in the footer of the website. This date may indicate when the website was last updated or when it was created. However, not all websites have this information readily available.
There are several ways to find the date of a website. The most common methods include:
1. Checking the copyright date
This is usually found at the bottom of the website and indicates the year the website was created.
2. Examining the last modified date
This is the date when the website was last updated. It can usually be found in the website's source code or by using a browser extension.
3. Using the Wayback Machine
Another way to find the date of a website is to use an online tool called the Wayback Machine. This is a digital archive of the internet that allows users to see how a website looked and functioned in the past. It can be used to determine when a website was first created and when it was last updated. The Wayback Machine is a digital archive of the internet that allows users to browse through archived versions of websites. By entering the URL of a website into the Wayback Machine, you can view snapshots of the website from different points in time. This can help you determine when the website was created or last updated.
4. Checking the domain registration date
This information can be found by doing a WHOIS lookup on the website's domain name. It will show the date when the website was registered.
5. Looking for references to current events or technology
If a website references a recent event or technology, it can be assumed that the website was created after that event or technology was introduced.
6. Looking at the comments timestamps
To estimate when an article was published, you can check the timestamps on any comments. Although this method is not entirely accurate, it can provide a general idea. Look for the earliest date next to the username in the comments section. If the user interacted when the article was published, that will be the closest date to publication. While you cannot use this date to cite a website, it can help you determine how old the information is. If it seems recent, you may choose to use the website but cite it as "no date.
7. Check if the date is included in the URL
Look in the address bar and go through the URL to see if it contains the date that the post was written. Some blogs and websites automatically include the date in the web address. You may find the full date or just the month and year. To ensure that you are on the post-specific page, click on the post's headline. However, keep in mind that some blogs shorten the URL for easier searching, so you may not find the date there.
8. Find the published date on Google
Usually, Google displays the publication date next to each search result. However, if it's not visible, you can find the publication date of a specific webpage by following these steps:
1. Go to Google and type "inurl:" in the search box.
2. Copy and paste the page's URL right next to "inurl:" and hit Enter or click the search button.
3. In the URL box at the top of the page (not the search box in Google), add "&as_qdr=y15" to the end of the URL.
4. Press Enter, and a date should appear in the search results.
Check the Source Code to Find the Page’s Published Date
Opening the source code of a webpage can help you discover various aspects of a website, including the code used, the date published, and links to images. Here's how to open the source code and potentially find the publication date:
- 1. Right-click on the web page you want to view and select "View Page Source." Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + U on Windows or Command + U on Mac.
- 2. The website's source code will appear in a new tab on your web browser. Press Ctrl + F on Windows or Command + F on Mac to open the Find function.
- 3. To locate the publication date, type "publish" in the Find box.
Find a page’s published date using ‘Carbon Dating the Web’
There is a free online service called Carbon Dating the Web that can help you estimate the approximate date when a website was launched. Although it's free and easy to use, the estimation process can take some time. When tested on pages with a known creation date, this tool had a success rate of 75%, which is quite good. If you frequently cite websites, you may benefit from installing the program locally.
Conclusion
Finding the date of a website can be useful in determining its credibility and relevance. There are several ways to find this information, including looking for a copyright date or date in the footer, using the Wayback Machine, using a domain name lookup tool, checking the website's source code, and contacting the website owner or administrator. By using these methods, you can gain a better understanding of when a website was created or last updated.
FAQs on How to find the date of a website
How can I find the date of a website without a date?
If you land on a page that doesn't have a date at the top, you can check the bottom of the page for a copyright or "last updated" date. Sometimes, there may be information about when the page was created in other sections of the website.
Why can't I find the date of a website?
Searching for keywords such as "date," "Modified," "dateModified," or "modified time" in a web page's source section can help find the publication date.Use this guide on how to search websites for keywords or keyphrases. Another option is to use an HTTP header checker tool. The date is always a part of the HTTP header data of a web page.
What is the difference between the published date and the updated date?
The difference between the published date and the updated date is quite simple. The published date refers to the date when the website/webpage/content was initially made available to the public, while the updated date refers to the date when the content was last modified or revised. In other words, the published date indicates when the content was first created, while the updated date indicates when it was last changed. This information can be particularly useful for those who rely on accurate and up-to-date information, such as researchers, journalists, and other professionals.
To summarize, some websites display two different dates. The published date reflects the day the website was launched, while the updated date shows when the website was last modified or maintained. If a website is regularly updated, you will see an updated date.
