HTTP cache with URL rewriting

URL rewriting is a common technique for allowing users to interact with internet resources using easy to remember and search engine friendly URLs. When URL rewriting involves conditions derived for sources other than the URL, inconsistencies in HTTP kernel cache and HTTP user output cache may arise. Methods and a system for rewriting a URL while preserving cache integrity are disclosed herein. Conditions used by a rule set to rewrite a URL may be determined as cache friendly conditions or cache unfriendly conditions. If cache unfriendly conditions exist, the HTTP kernel cache is disabled and the HTTP user output cache is varied based upon a key. If no cache unfriendly conditions exist, then the HTTP kernel cache is not disabled and the HTTP user output cache is not varied. A rule set is applied to the URL and a URL rewrite is performed to create a rewritten URL.