An archive snapshot is a saved version of a webpage at a particular time. WebRewind helps you look for that version from your browser, then opens it on the archive service.
A snapshot is a separate version
The publisher’s live page and an archive snapshot have different URLs. The publisher may update or correct its article after the snapshot was captured. Images, interactive charts, comments, and embedded media may be missing from the saved page.
For dates, prices, health information, or breaking news, check the original source and its latest updates. A readable archive is not proof that the information is current.
The archive workflow, in practice
- Start from the original article URL.
- Open WebRewind and start a Rewind.
- Let the archive service respond, completing any visible challenge when needed.
- Check the saved URL and snapshot date before you read.
Illustrative workflow in Safari on iPhone; not a demonstration of this publisher.
This product demonstration shows an archived page in Safari. It documents the workflow, not a promise about another article’s availability.
What the five archive hostnames mean
Shared WebRewind links accept HTTPS snapshots from archive.today, archive.ph, archive.is, archive.li, and archive.vn. The extension lets you choose an archive site. Hostnames can point to the same archive ecosystem; changing one doesn’t necessarily produce a different capture.
A shared snapshot link opens on the archive service. The receiving person doesn’t need WebRewind just to follow the reading link.
When an archive cannot help
An archive can return no result, a partial capture, a challenge, or a saved subscription prompt. WebRewind can’t create missing publisher content or guarantee that an archive will be reachable. See what to try next.
Other ways to read
Publisher gift links, a library subscription, institutional access, and direct subscriptions can provide a current publisher version. Choose the option that fits the story you need.
Journalism comes at a cost. For publications you value, consider supporting them directly with a subscription.