Wayback Machine
Operator: Internet Archive, United States
Free web archive for earlier versions of web pages, with a timeline, shareable archive URLs and APIs.
Media & Archives
Product
Wayback Machine, the Internet Archive’s public web archive.
Availability and source date
Active
As of: 16 October 2026.
No functionality test has been performed.
Use in OSINT research
Shows earlier versions of a web page. Helps trace deleted statements, previous contact details and website changes.
Queries
| Input | Result | Result type |
|---|---|---|
| URL + Domain / website | Available archived captures with capture dates and links to the saved versions. | Retrieved |
| Keyword / free text | Websites with matching terms relating to their home page. The separate collection search covers selected holdings only. | Retrieved |
Features
- Displays saved web pages along a timeline.
- Finds websites by URLs and terms relating to their home page.
- Provides a separate search of selected archive collections.
- Creates a snapshot of a single page using Save Page Now.
- Provides archive availability and capture information through APIs.
Categories
- Media & Archives
- Web archives
Coverage
Geographical coverage
Worldwide
Dataset
Saved web pages from the internet. The holdings date back to 1996; coverage varies between websites.
Access
Requirements
Public archive search without an account. Some special collections require separate access.
Export
Archived versions can be shared through their URLs. The Availability API returns JSON. A full website download is not offered.
Provider
Internet Archive
Country of establishment
United States
Interfaces
API
Available. Availability API, Memento and CDX for archive availability and capture information.
MCP
Not documented. Not documented in the provider information reviewed.
AI agents
Not documented. Not documented in the provider information reviewed.
Usage note
The terms of use state scholarship and research as its purpose.
Legal note
Limitations
- Not every page or point in time is archived. Images and dynamic content may be missing.
- The general search does not search full article text. Collection search covers selected holdings only.
- Requests may be limited.
Guides and practical reports
Official · Using the Wayback Machine
Internet Archive · EN
Explains URL searches, archive dates, saving individual pages and gaps in the archive.