Google Renders All Pages For Search, Including JavaScript-Heavy Sites

Google renders all webpages, including JavaScript-heavy sites, for search indexing.

• Google renders all HTML pages for search indexing.
• Rendering is resource-intensive but necessary for comprehensive indexing.
• JavaScript-heavy websites are now fully processed by Google.

Google affirms that it renders all websites in its search results, even if those sites rely on JavaScript.

Rendering Process Explained

In the context of Google Search, Clifford explained that rendering involves using a headless browser to process web pages.

This allows Google to index the content as a user would see it after JavaScript has executed and the page has fully loaded.

Clifford stated

“We run a browser in the indexing pipeline so we can index the view of the web page as a user would see it after it has loaded and JavaScript has executed.”

All HTML Pages Rendered

One of the podcast’s most significant revelations was that Google renders all HTML pages, not just a select few. Despite the resource-intensive process, Google has committed to this approach to ensure comprehensive indexing.

Clifford confirmed:

“We just render all of them, as long as they’re HTML and not other content types like PDFs.”

She acknowledged that while the process is expensive, accessing the full content of web pages, especially those relying heavily on JavaScript, is necessary.

What This Means for Website Owners & Developers

1. Good news for JavaScript: If your website uses a lot of JavaScript, Google will likely understand it
2. .Speed still matters: Although Google can handle JavaScript better, having a fast-loading website is still important
3. .Keep it simple when you can: While it’s okay to use JavaScript, try not to overdo it. Simpler websites are often easier for both Google and visitors to understand
4. .Check your work: Use Google’s free tools, like Fetch As Google, to ensure search crawlers can render your site
5. .Think about all users: Remember that some people might have slow internet or older devices. Ensure your main content works even if JavaScript doesn’t load perfectly

Source: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-renders-all-pages-for-search-including-javascript-heavy-sites/522103/?