What does Google say about SEO? /
This category compiles all official Google statements regarding JavaScript and technical aspects of search engine optimization. Modern JavaScript frameworks (React, Angular, Vue.js) and web application architectures (SPA, SSR, CSR) present critical challenges for crawling and indexing. Google's guidance on JavaScript rendering, dynamic DOM manipulation, AJAX implementation, and API calls is essential for ensuring client-side content visibility. SEO professionals will find authoritative positions on implementation best practices, differences between server-side and client-side rendering, and recommendations for optimizing load times while guaranteeing content accessibility to search crawlers. Understanding data formats (JSON, XML) and their SEO implications completes this vital resource. These official declarations help prevent common technical implementation mistakes that can severely impact the search performance of modern websites and JavaScript-powered applications. Access to Google's verified positions on these technical matters enables practitioners to make informed architectural decisions and implement JavaScript solutions that maintain strong organic search visibility while delivering enhanced user experiences.
Quick SEO Quiz

Test your SEO knowledge in 5 questions

Less than a minute. Find out how much you really know about Google search.

🕒 ~1 min 🎯 5 questions
★★ Does Google really index raw JSON responses?
JSON content can be indexed if publicly accessible, but it usually does not show up in standard search results....
Google May 17, 2018
★★★ Should you really use dynamic rendering to index your JavaScript pages?
Dynamic rendering allows you to show a HTML version of a page to Google bots to facilitate the indexing of JavaScript sites. This can help speed up the indexing process but is not necessary....
Google May 17, 2018
★★★ Are canonical tags and headers rendered in JavaScript truly ignored by Google?
Canonical tags and links in the initial HTML headers are taken into account, but not the versions rendered via JavaScript. Critical changes must be delivered in the static HTML code....
Google May 17, 2018
★★★ Why does Google favor JSON-LD for structured data?
Google recommends using JSON-LD for structured data markup. This is seen as the preferred method compared to microdata or RDFa....
Google May 17, 2018
★★★ Why do URLs with a hash (#) block the indexing of your Angular pages?
To correctly index Angular pages, ensure that URLs with JavaScript do not contain a hash (#) because Google ignores them for indexing....
John Mueller May 15, 2018
★★ Are PWAs really essential for natural SEO?
PWAs can make websites very fast and offer interesting offline features, but they are not necessary for all sites. Adoption depends on the specific use case....
John Mueller May 15, 2018
★★★ Are JavaScript canonicals really ignored by Google?
Canonical tag elements are not considered when they are dynamically generated by JavaScript. Make sure the static HTML version correctly sends the canonical tag....
John Mueller May 15, 2018
★★ Why Does Googlebot Still Refuse to Follow Certain Types of Links in 2024?
Let's wrap up with, once again, the Google I/O event and a presentation by a Google engineer outlining which types of links are followed by Googlebot on a web page. The following links will be followe...
Google May 14, 2018
★★★ How Does Google's Two-Phase JavaScript Crawling Really Affect Your Rankings?
At the Google I/O event, Tom Greenaway, a search engine engineer, indicated that Google crawls JavaScript pages using a two-phase process (largely due to available machine resource management): a firs...
Google May 14, 2018
★★ Do website themes really influence mobile rankings and SEO performance?
Website themes need to be optimized for performance and be responsive to ensure they load quickly and display properly on mobile devices. Use tools like Lighthouse to test these aspects....
Mariya Moeva May 11, 2018
★★★ How can Search Console APIs change your SEO workflow in a CMS?
Verification and Search Console APIs can be integrated into content management systems (CMSs) to facilitate users' access to their search statistics and other functionalities, empowering users and mak...
Mariya Moeva May 11, 2018
★★★ Does loading speed really matter in Google's ranking?
Page speed is a ranking factor in Google, and it influences user experience beyond search engines. Using tools like PageSpeed Insights to measure and improve loading speed is recommended....
John Mueller May 11, 2018
★★★ Is Hybrid Rendering really the only solution for indexing your JavaScript pages?
Hybrid rendering, combining server-side and client-side rendering, is the long-term solution recommended by Google to ensure effective indexing of JavaScript sites....
John Mueller May 10, 2018
★★★ Is Googlebot really stuck on Chrome 41 for JavaScript?
Googlebot operates using Chrome 41. Newer JavaScript features are not supported, so it is essential to ensure that the JavaScript code remains compatible with earlier versions....
John Mueller May 10, 2018
★★★ How does Googlebot index your JavaScript in two phases and what does that mean for your SEO?
Googlebot carries out indexing in two waves. The first wave deals with server-side content and the second, delayed wave handles client-side rendered content. This can delay the indexing of sites that ...
Tom Greenaway May 10, 2018
★★★ Is dynamic rendering truly the solution for indexing your JavaScript pages?
Dynamic rendering involves serving pre-rendered server-side content to search engines while maintaining client-side rendering for users. It's a recommended approach for complex JavaScript sites....
John Mueller May 10, 2018
★★★ Should You Use a 404 Instead of a 403 to Remove Pages from Google's Index?
John Mueller indicated on Twitter that, to signal to Google that a page no longer exists and to see it disappear from the index, a 404 code (Page not Found) should be preferred over a 403 code (Forbid...
John Mueller May 09, 2018
★★★ Should you really abandon JavaScript links for SEO?
Google recognizes and tracks URLs defined in JavaScript if they automatically lead to a page location change, but having parallel standard HTML links is recommended for better SEO assurance....
John Mueller May 03, 2018
★★ Is it true that PWAs don't guarantee a spot in Google's mobile carousel?
Even though PWAs are fast and mobile-friendly, there is no guarantee they will automatically be added to the mobile carousel....
John Mueller May 03, 2018
★★★ Should you really use a 302 instead of a 301 for geo-targeted redirects?
For IP-based redirects, using a 302 redirect is preferred over a 301 to avoid unwanted caching by browsers or systems....
John Mueller May 03, 2018
🔔

Get real-time analysis of the latest Google SEO declarations

Be the first to know every time a new official Google statement drops — with full expert analysis.

No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.