What clearing cache means and why you might need to do it

Clearing cache means deleting temporary files your browser or Squarespace stores to load pages faster. When you visit a Squarespace site, your browser saves images, stylesheets, and other content so the next time you visit, the page loads quicker. Sometimes this saved data becomes outdated — you make changes to your site but see the old version, or a visitor sees a broken layout because their browser is holding onto an old file.

You clear cache in two places: in your own browser (so you see your live site correctly while editing), and on your Squarespace site itself (so visitors see the current version). The steps are different for each.

Key Takeaways

  • Clearing your browser cache lets you see your Squarespace site as it actually looks right now, not as your browser remembers it.
  • Most browsers use Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac) to open the cache-clearing menu, then you select "all time" and check "cached images and files".
  • Squarespace sites have a built-in cache you can clear from the Settings menu without touching your browser.
  • If you are editing your site and changes do not appear, clear your browser cache first — it is the fastest fix.
  • Visitors may need to clear their own cache to see updates, but most browsers refresh automatically within a few hours.

Clear cache in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge

The keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac) opens the cache-clearing menu in Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. In Safari, go to the menu bar, click Safari, then select Clear History.

Once the menu opens, look for a dropdown that says "Time range" or "Clearing" and select All time — this removes all cached files, not just recent ones. Check the box next to Cached images and files (or Cache). Leave other options unchecked unless you want to clear cookies or browsing history too. Click the button to clear (usually labeled Clear data, Clear cache, or Clear history).

After clearing, reload your Squarespace site by pressing F5 or Ctrl+R (Windows) or Command+R (Mac). You should now see the current version.

Clear cache directly from Squarespace settings

Squarespace stores its own cache separate from your browser. To clear it, log into your Squarespace account and go to Settings in the left sidebar. Scroll down and click Advanced. Look for the option labeled Clear cache and click it.

This clears the cache for your entire site, so all visitors will see the most current version the next time they load a page. It does not affect your browser cache — you may still need to clear that separately if you are seeing an old version while editing.

When to clear cache and what to expect

Clear your browser cache whenever you make changes to your Squarespace site and do not see them appear. This includes changes to text, images, colors, layouts, or navigation. It is the first troubleshooting step because browsers often hold onto old files longer than you expect.

Clear Squarespace's cache if you have made changes and want to force all visitors to see the new version immediately. Without clearing, some visitors may see the old version for a few hours until their browser refreshes automatically. Clearing the Squarespace cache takes effect within seconds.

If you are working with a developer or designer on your site, ask them to clear the Squarespace cache after they push changes live. This prevents visitors from seeing a mix of old and new content.

Cache clearing does not delete your site content

Clearing cache removes only temporary display files — images, stylesheets, and scripts that browsers use to render pages faster. It does not touch your actual site content, settings, or data. Your pages, text, images, and all your site information stay exactly as they are.

Think of cache like a notebook your browser keeps to remember what your site looked like last time. Clearing it just throws away the notebook. Your site itself is stored on Squarespace's servers and is not affected.

Why visitors might see an old version of your site

When you publish changes, Squarespace updates its servers immediately, but visitors' browsers may hold onto the old cached version for hours or even days. Most modern browsers refresh cache automatically after a few hours, but some visitors with older browsers or strict cache settings may see outdated content longer.

You cannot force visitors to clear their cache, but you can clear Squarespace's cache to ensure the newest version is available to download. Visitors who have not visited your site in a few hours will automatically get the fresh version. Those who visit frequently may see the old version until their browser refreshes on its own.

Frequently Asked Questions

I cleared my browser cache but still see the old version of my site

Try clearing the Squarespace cache from Settings instead. If that does not work, wait a few minutes and reload the page. Sometimes Squarespace needs a moment to serve the new version. If the problem persists, try a different browser to see if the issue is specific to one browser's cache.

Will clearing cache log me out of my Squarespace account?

Clearing only cached images and files will not log you out. If you also check the box for "cookies" or "site data" during the cache-clearing process, you may be logged out. To stay logged in, uncheck those boxes and clear only the cache.

How often should I clear my Squarespace cache?

You only need to clear cache when you notice your site is not showing recent changes. For most people, this happens a few times a year. Regular visitors to your site do not need to clear cache manually — their browsers refresh automatically.

Does clearing cache speed up my site?

Clearing cache does not make your site faster. Cache actually makes sites load faster by storing files locally. Clearing it removes those files, so the next load takes slightly longer while the browser downloads everything fresh. Clear cache only when you need to see current changes, not for speed.

Can I clear cache on my phone or tablet?

Yes. On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, scroll to Safari, tap Clear History and Website Data, and confirm. On Android, open Chrome, tap the three dots, go to Settings, tap Privacy, then Clear browsing data, check Cached images and files, and tap Clear data.