JavaScript SEO Best Practices 2026

JavaScript-heavy sites can struggle with SEO. For Melbourne businesses using React, Vue, Angular, or other JS frameworks, understanding how Google handles JavaScript is critical for rankings.

How Google Processes JavaScript

Google's rendering process has two phases: initial crawl (sees raw HTML) and rendering (executes JavaScript). The rendering queue means JS content can take days to weeks longer to index.

Best Practice: Critical content should be in initial HTML, not dependent on JavaScript execution. Use server-side rendering (SSR) or static generation for important pages.

Rendering Strategies

Server-Side Rendering (SSR)

Renders pages on the server before sending to client. Search engines receive complete HTML immediately. Best for SEO but requires more server resources.

Static Site Generation (SSG)

Pre-renders pages at build time. Fastest option for content that doesn't change frequently. Excellent for blogs and documentation.

Dynamic Rendering

Serves pre-rendered HTML to bots while serving JavaScript to users. A valid workaround when SSR isn't feasible.

JS SEO Checklist

Test rendering with URL Inspection tool
Ensure internal links are crawlable (not JS-only)
Don't block JavaScript files in robots.txt
Minimise render-blocking JavaScript
Use history API for client-side routing

For comprehensive technical SEO guidance, explore our optimisation guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Google crawl JavaScript content?

Yes, Google can render JavaScript, but with delays and limitations. Content may take days longer to index. Critical content should be in initial HTML or use server-side rendering for fastest indexing.

What is server-side rendering (SSR) for SEO?

SSR generates HTML on the server before sending to browsers. Search engines receive fully-rendered content immediately, ensuring faster and more reliable indexing compared to client-side JavaScript rendering.

Should I use dynamic rendering for SEO?

Dynamic rendering serves pre-rendered HTML to bots while serving JavaScript to users. It's a valid solution when SSR isn't feasible, though Google recommends SSR as the preferred approach.

How do I test if Google can see my JavaScript content?

Use Google Search Console's URL Inspection tool to see how Google renders your pages. Compare 'View rendered HTML' with your live page. Also test with 'Fetch as Google' and check the Coverage report for JS-related issues.

Does JavaScript hurt SEO performance?

Heavy JavaScript can slow page load times, hurting Core Web Vitals and rankings. Minimise JS, defer non-critical scripts, and ensure critical content doesn't depend on JavaScript execution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can AI systems read JavaScript-rendered content?

Most AI systems rely on indexed content from search engines, which means JavaScript rendering matters for AI visibility. If your content isn't rendered and indexed by Google, it likely won't be available for AI recommendation. Ensure your JavaScript-heavy content is properly server-side rendered or pre-rendered for maximum AI visibility.

What's the best rendering approach for AI SEO?

Server-side rendering (SSR) or static site generation (SSG) provides the best AI SEO performance because content is immediately available to crawlers without JavaScript execution. If you must use client-side rendering, implement dynamic rendering or ensure Google's JavaScript rendering service can properly process your pages.

How do I test if AI systems can access my JavaScript content?

Test by checking Google's cached version of your pages (search 'cache:yoururl.com'), using Google's URL Inspection tool in Search Console, and manually querying ChatGPT and Perplexity about your content. If AI systems can't cite your content, JavaScript rendering issues may be the cause.

Does React or Vue harm AI SEO?

Modern frameworks like React and Vue don't inherently harm AI SEO, but improper implementation can. Use server-side rendering frameworks (Next.js for React, Nuxt.js for Vue) or implement proper pre-rendering. Avoid client-side-only rendering for important content you want AI systems to cite.

What JavaScript SEO issues most commonly affect Melbourne businesses?

Common issues include client-side rendered content that Google can't index, JavaScript-dependent internal links that crawlers can't follow, lazy-loaded content below the fold, and single-page applications without proper routing. Melbourne businesses using modern web frameworks should prioritise JavaScript SEO audits.

JavaScript SEO Best Practices for 2026

How Google Processes JavaScript

Rendering Strategies

Server-Side Rendering (SSR)

Static Site Generation (SSG)

Dynamic Rendering

JS SEO Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More Topics

Frequently Asked Questions

Can AI systems read JavaScript-rendered content?

What's the best rendering approach for AI SEO?

How do I test if AI systems can access my JavaScript content?

Does React or Vue harm AI SEO?

What JavaScript SEO issues most commonly affect Melbourne businesses?

Get the 15-Minute AI SEO Audit

Optimise Your JavaScript Site

How Google Processes JavaScript

Rendering Strategies

Server-Side Rendering (SSR)

Static Site Generation (SSG)

Dynamic Rendering

JS SEO Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More Topics

Frequently Asked Questions

Can AI systems read JavaScript-rendered content?

What's the best rendering approach for AI SEO?

How do I test if AI systems can access my JavaScript content?

Does React or Vue harm AI SEO?

What JavaScript SEO issues most commonly affect Melbourne businesses?

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Core Web Vitals 2026 Guide

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Schema Markup for AI Search

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