The noarchive tag is an HTML meta tag that instructs search engines not to cache or save a copy of a web page in their search results. When a search engine respects this tag, it will not display a “cached” link next to the search result.
Examples of why the “noarchive” tag is used:
- Pages with frequently updated content: News websites or pages with time-sensitive information may use the “noarchive” tag to ensure that users always see the most current version of the content.
- Pages with sensitive information: Websites dealing with personal data, financial information, or other sensitive content may use the “noarchive” tag to prevent this information from being accessible through search engine caches.
- Pages with paid content: Websites offering paid content, such as e-books or premium articles, may use the “noarchive” tag to prevent users from accessing the content without purchasing it.
- Legal reasons: Some websites might be required to use the “noarchive” tag due to legal obligations, such as privacy regulations or intellectual property rights.
The “noarchive” tag is typically implemented as follows:
<meta name="robots" content="noarchive">This tag is placed within the section of the HTML document.