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Efficiently Update Product Images with URL Timestamps in NetSuite

Learn to update product images on Commerce sites with URL timestamps for effective cache invalidation.

·2 min read·View Oracle Docs

Updating product images on a Commerce website effectively utilizes cache invalidation through URL timestamps. By checking the Generate URL Timestamp box on the file record, you prompt the CDN to refresh stored images. This ensures the most recent images are displayed, especially when developing or updating site visuals. Timestamps are automatically generated upon file changes, signaling both CDN and browser caches of the updates. This is particularly useful for dynamic content like landing pages or promotional banners.

How to Update a Product Image Without Cache Invalidation

Instead of requesting cache invalidation via URL, simply amend the file record in your Web Site Hosting Files Folder. Selecting Generate URL Timestamp ensures a new version of the image file is cached whenever changes are made.

Best Practice: While designing your website, if you encounter outdated images being pulled from the cache, enable the Generate URL Timestamp option. This ensures search services use the latest URL and store new versions in the CDN cache efficiently.

Who This Affects

  • Web Developers who manage dynamic content on NetSuite Commerce websites
  • Designers updating product images or site visuals
  • Administrators handling cache settings and site optimum performance

Key Takeaways

  • Use URL timestamps for simpler cache management when updating images on Commerce sites.
  • This feature works specifically with URLs used by the Item Search API.
  • Automatically generated timestamps ensure both CDN and browsers recognize updated images.

Frequently Asked Questions (4)

Do I need to use Cache Invalidation by URL to update product images?
No, you can simply check the Generate URL Timestamp box on the file record in the Web Site Hosting Files Folder to update product images efficiently.
What happens when the Generate URL Timestamp box is checked on a file?
Checking this box forces the CDN to store a new version of the file by adding a new URL timestamp each time the file changes, indicating to the CDN and browser cache that the content has been updated.
Is the Generate URL Timestamp feature applicable for all NetSuite URLs?
No, this feature is specifically for URLs returned by code that uses the Item Search API, such as for product images.
How does the URL timestamp affect the CDN and browser cache?
The URL timestamp informs the CDN and browser cache that the content has been changed, prompting them to store and display the updated version of the file.
Source: Updating a Product Image — Oracle NetSuite Help Center. This article was generated from official Oracle documentation and enriched with additional context and best practices.

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