1. A method for providing a proxy service to retrieve content over a data network from a content server, the method comprising: forwarding a request for the content over the data network towards the content server, wherein a proxy in communication with the content server determines a plurality of objects corresponding to the content based on the request, the proxy generating a list specifying the objects that are to be pre-fetched according to a criterion; receiving the generated list in response to the request; receiving the pre-fetched objects on the list; and selectively holding a subsequent request associated with an object specified on the list.