The Web Snapshots feature is included in the Standard plan of the Social Media Archiving subscription. Web Snapshots capture and archive webpages for compliance and records retention purposes.
This article outlines important quirks and considerations to help ensure successful captures.
Web Snapshots Are Read-Only
Web Snapshots are captured in a read-only format.
Each snapshot reflects what a webpage looked like at a specific point in time.
Snapshots are intended for compliance viewing only.
Links, buttons, and navigation within the snapshot are not interactive.
Web Snapshots should be viewed as a static record of a webpage, not a live version of the site.
XML Sitemaps Are Recommended
For the most accurate and predictable results, CivicPlus recommends using an XML sitemap.
Using an XML sitemap allows you to:
Specify which URLs should be captured
Control how frequently pages are updated
Use the last modified date to determine when new snapshots should be created
Work with your website provider to ensure the last modified date field is included and maintained within your XML sitemap.
HTML Sitemap Considerations
If an HTML sitemap is used:
CivicPlus cannot guarantee which URLs will be captured
Only the sitemap homepage and directly linked pages may be scanned
HTML sitemaps are scanned daily, which may result in unexpected overages
Widget-Based Content and Last Modified Dates
Some websites rely on widgets or embedded content.
Updates made through widgets do not typically update the last modified date in an XML sitemap
If the last modified date does not change, a new snapshot will not be captured
To trigger a new snapshot, a structural page update may be required.
Reviewing Statuses and Errored URLs
After adding or updating a sitemap:
Allow up to 24 hours for processing
Review the Web Snapshot status page for any errors
If errors are present, refer to the Web Snapshot Statuses and Errored URLs article for guidance on identifying and resolving issues. This information may also be shared with your website provider.
Allowlisting Is Required
Web Snapshots require access to crawl your website.
CivicPlus IP addresses and user agents must be allowlisted
If crawling is blocked, snapshots cannot be captured
If errors indicate blocked access, review your website’s security settings and coordinate with your website provider. If issues persist, contact CivicPlus Support.
Additional Support
If you have questions or need assistance configuring Web Snapshots, contact Support.