System and method of differential cache control. Different parts of a representation are controlled by different cache expiration times. A differential control scheme may adopt a hierarchical control structure in which a subordinate level control policy can override its superordinate level control policies. Different parts of the representation can be updated to a cache separately. Differential cache control can be implemented by programming a cache control directive in HTTP/1.1. Respective cache expiration time and their control scopes can be specified in a response header and/or response document provided by a server.