JS SEO office hours March 24th, 2021

TL;DR

Discussion on JavaScript SEO and related technical queries.

Transcript

MARTIN SPLITT: Hello, and welcome to another JavaScript SEO office hours today at this beautiful, sunny, yet a little cold March 24, 2021. My name is Martin Splitt. I'm a developer advocate at the Search Relations team here at Google, and I'm here to answer your questions. So let's start with the questions that were submitted under the YouTube post... Read More

Key Insights

• Google considers both initial and consecutive page loadings for Core Web Vitals, though the exact use in page experience signals is still under development.
• Discrepancies between crawled HTML and rendered HTML should be avoided for robust SEO, as Google extracts URLs from both.
• Server-side rendering is recommended for new projects as it enhances performance and robustness, though it should be implemented carefully.
• Google does not interact with buttons for crawling; static links are preferred for paginated content to ensure all items are indexed.
• JavaScript SEO is not fundamentally different from regular SEO; it involves understanding JavaScript's role in content generation for search visibility.
• Google's ability to handle JavaScript has improved significantly, reducing JavaScript-related issues and enhancing indexing accuracy.
• Crawling frequency is not directly related to traffic but is based on content change frequency and site structure.
• Google's handling of JavaScript rendering has evolved, with fewer issues now arising from JavaScript itself, thanks to improved practices and tools.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Google handle Core Web Vitals in terms of page loadings?

Google considers both initial and consecutive page loadings when assessing Core Web Vitals. However, the exact methodology for incorporating these loadings into the page experience signal is still being refined. Developers should be aware that both types of loadings could impact their site's performance metrics.

Q: What is the impact of discrepancies between crawled and rendered HTML?

Discrepancies between crawled and rendered HTML should be minimized. Google extracts URLs from both initial and rendered HTML, so maintaining consistency is crucial for ensuring that all desired content is indexed. While Google can handle some discrepancies, relying on them could lead to issues if Google's handling changes.

Q: Is server-side rendering recommended for new projects?

Yes, server-side rendering is recommended for new projects. It can enhance performance and make applications more robust. Implementing server-side rendering from the start is easier than retrofitting it later. Proper implementation is key to avoid any unintended side effects.

Q: Does Google interact with buttons for crawling purposes?

No, Google does not interact with buttons for crawling. To ensure all content is indexed, use static links for pagination instead of buttons. This approach allows Google to access all pages, as it does not simulate user interactions like clicking buttons.

Q: What is JavaScript SEO, and how does it differ from regular SEO?

JavaScript SEO is not fundamentally different from regular SEO. It involves understanding how JavaScript is used to generate content on a page and ensuring that this content is accessible to search engines. The focus is on technical aspects, such as how JavaScript affects page rendering and indexing.

Q: How has Google's handling of JavaScript evolved over time?

Google's handling of JavaScript has improved significantly, with fewer issues arising from JavaScript itself. The transition to an evergreen Googlebot and better developer practices have contributed to this improvement. Now, many issues are related to resource blocking rather than JavaScript execution.

Q: Does crawling frequency correlate with website traffic?

Crawling frequency does not directly correlate with website traffic. Instead, it is influenced by factors like content change frequency and site structure. Google aims to optimize crawling to ensure fresh content is indexed efficiently, based on observed changes rather than traffic levels.

Q: What are the best practices for pagination and infinite scrolling?

For pagination, use static links to ensure all items are indexed. Infinite scrolling can affect CLS values, but it may not necessarily be a worse option than a 'Load More' button. The choice depends on user experience goals and how well each method aligns with SEO best practices.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The session addressed questions about Core Web Vitals, server-side rendering, and JavaScript SEO, emphasizing the importance of consistent HTML for robust SEO practices.

• Martin Splitt highlighted improvements in Google's JavaScript handling, noting that many reported issues are not directly related to JavaScript but to resource blocking.

• Participants were advised on best practices for pagination and infinite scrolling, with a focus on the importance of static links for SEO and the evolving nature of JavaScript SEO.