How to monitor and verify website changes over time

The Challenge

Ever visit a website and think, "I swear it said something different the other day"? Whether you're tracking competitor changes, monitoring for misinformation, or just curious about content evolution, verifying website changes over time can be surprisingly complex.

Why Traditional Screenshots Aren't Enough

Screenshots can be easily faked, and manually checking sites is time-consuming and unreliable. What you need is a systematic approach that creates verifiable, tamper-proof records.

HashSite: A Solution I Built

Well, wonder no more! Because apparently I'm on a create-whatever-idea-that-pops-into-my-head binge.

🔗 HashSite.net

What Makes It Different

• 🔒 Creates immutable records - literally cannot be deleted or edited by anyone
• 🌍 Shared public database - your evidence helps everyone
• 📰 Built specifically for journalists and accountability reporting
• 🔍 Detects exactly what changed between captures
• 💯 Completely free and open source
• 🛡️ Cryptographic verification so evidence can't be faked

NOTE: Please don't use this for anything critical, it's a work in progress!

Alternative Approaches

1. Browser Extensions

Several browser extensions can monitor page changes:

• Distill Web Monitor - Tracks specific elements
• Visualping - Visual change detection
• Page Monitor - Simple text-based monitoring

2. Web Services

• Archive.org Wayback Machine - Historical snapshots
• ChangeDetection.io - Automated monitoring
• Versionista - Enterprise website monitoring
• WebSite-Watcher - Desktop monitoring software

3. Developer Tools

For those comfortable with code:

• Puppeteer - Automate browser screenshots
• Selenium - Web scraping and monitoring
• Git for websites - Version control for static content
• RSS/API monitoring - Track structured data changes

Choosing the Right Approach

For Journalists & Researchers

Use HashSite or Wayback Machine for tamper-proof evidence. The cryptographic verification ensures your evidence holds up under scrutiny.

For Business Monitoring

Combine multiple tools: Distill for specific elements, Wayback Machine for historical context, and HashSite for legal evidence if needed.

For Personal Use

Browser extensions are usually sufficient. Set up alerts for price changes, content updates, or availability notifications.

Best Practices

• Capture context - Include surrounding content, not just the specific element
• Document metadata - Timestamp, URL, user agent, and capture method
• Use multiple sources - Cross-reference with other monitoring tools
• Automate when possible - Manual checking doesn't scale
• Store evidence properly - Use versioned storage or blockchain-based solutions

Legal and Ethical Considerations

• Respect robots.txt - Don't overwhelm servers with requests
• Consider privacy - Some content changes might be sensitive
• Verify authenticity - Always cross-check important findings
• Understand fair use - Archiving for research vs. commercial use

Why This Approach Works

This systematic approach is effective because it:

• Provides verifiable evidence that can't be disputed
• Scales from personal monitoring to enterprise accountability
• Combines automation with human verification
• Offers multiple fallback options when one method fails
• Creates a permanent record for future reference

When to Use Each Method

• Daily price monitoring → Browser extensions
• Research and journalism → HashSite + Wayback Machine
• Competitive intelligence → Paid monitoring services
• Legal evidence → Cryptographically verified captures
• Historical analysis → Archive.org Wayback Machine

The Future of Website Monitoring

As misinformation and content manipulation become more sophisticated, the need for verifiable, tamper-proof website monitoring will only grow. Tools like HashSite represent the evolution toward cryptographic proof in digital accountability.

Remember: No single approach works for everyone. Choose your monitoring strategy based on your specific needs, technical comfort level, and the stakes involved.