A method is provided for caching and delivering an alternate version from among a plurality of alternate versions of information objects. One or more alternate versions of an information object, for example, versions of the information object that are prepared in different languages or compatible with different systems, are stored in an object cache database. In the cache, a vector of alternates is associated with a key value that identifies the information object. The vector of alternates stores information that describes the alternate, the context and constraints of the object's use, and a reference to the location of the alternate's object content. When a subsequent client request for the information object is received, the cache extracts information from the client request, and attempts to select an acceptable and optimal alternate from the vector by matching the request information to the cached contextual information in the vector of alternates. This selection is performed in a time- and space-efficient manner. Accordingly, the cache can deliver different versions of an information object based on the metadata and criteria specified in a request to the cache. As a result, the information delivered by the cache is customized for the requesting client, without requiring access to the original object server.