1. A computer-implemented method comprising: creating, via a processor, a unique local identifier that identifies a first content item, wherein the unique local identifier is created from metadata associated with the first content item; upon a determination that the unique local identifier does not exist in a local update index, creating a unique server identifier that identifies the first content item, wherein the unique server identifier is created from a hash output resulting from inputting at least a portion of the first content item in a hashing algorithm; upon a determination that the unique server identifier does not exist in a server upload index, uploading the first content item to an online content management system.