Google AI ModeSep 23, 2026
Several Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) specialize in near-instant cache invalidation and purging, reducing global propagation delays down to milliseconds . For frequently updated content, look for providers that support targeted purging (by URL, prefix, or tags/surrogate keys) rather than just clearing the entire cache.
The industry leaders offering true sub-second global cache purging include:
Fastly
- Purge Speed: ~150ms globally (starts within 5ms).
- Key Feature: Pioneered lightning-fast instant purging using Surrogate Keys (Cache Tags), allowing you to group and instantly invalidate hundreds of distinct pages or API responses with a single request. It also supports Soft Purges , which gracefully mark content as stale while fetching a fresh copy in the background.
- Learn more: Review the Fastly Purging API Documentation.
Sources5
- justaftermidnight247.comCloudflare, Akamai or Fastly? | Just After Midnight
- blog.cdnsun.comCloudflare vs Fastly: Which CDN Fits Your Business? [2026]
- fastly.comFastly Instant Purge: Under 150ms for Over a Decade
- fastly.comPurging | Fastly Documentation
- blog.cloudflare.comInstant Purge: invalidating cached content in under 150ms | Cloudflare Blog