Patrick Hathaway, co-founder of Sitebulb and a specialist in JavaScript SEO, dives into the complexities of optimizing JavaScript-heavy sites. He highlights significant gaps in industry knowledge about rendering and crawling, proposing a training initiative to elevate understanding. Patrick shares essential auditing practices, emphasizing the value of comparing source and rendered HTML. He also discusses effective communication strategies for conveying SEO challenges linked to JavaScript, helping professionals advocate for their needs in a constantly evolving digital landscape.
Understanding the challenges of JavaScript SEO is essential for SEO professionals to effectively communicate issues to clients and developers.
Free training resources and webinars are being offered to improve SEO practitioners' knowledge and skills in handling JavaScript content effectively.
Deep dives
Importance of Understanding JavaScript SEO
Most digital marketers recognize the significance of understanding how Google crawls and renders JavaScript content, yet there is a notable gap in their actual knowledge. Although nearly all respondents in a recent survey acknowledged the importance of understanding what Google sees when crawling sites, only around 60% had read Google's guidelines on JavaScript SEO. Furthermore, approximately 50% admitted to only knowing the basics of how Google handles JavaScript on websites. This highlights a clear disconnect between perceived importance and actual understanding, indicating a critical area for further education within the SEO community.
Key Findings from JavaScript SEO Study
A comprehensive study on JavaScript SEO revealed significant disparities in how professionals approach this critical area. Approximately one-third of survey participants were unsure how to determine if a site relied heavily on JavaScript, even though it is widely acknowledged that Google now renders web pages. Additionally, many respondents expressed discomfort in investigating JavaScript-related issues or in communicating these problems to clients and developers. This suggests a pressing need for enhanced training and resources to equip SEO specialists with the necessary skills and confidence to address JavaScript SEO challenges effectively.
Free Training Resources for SEO Professionals
In response to the knowledge gap identified in the study, free training resources focused on JavaScript SEO have been developed to aid professionals struggling with this topic. This initiative, in partnership with Women in Tech SEO, includes a series of webinars aimed at identifying JavaScript content, how to audit it for SEO purposes, and the importance of prioritizing and communicating JavaScript SEO issues. The first session is scheduled to start in early September, offering a timely opportunity for SEOs to enhance their understanding and skills. Additionally, a dedicated hub of resources is available online, providing articles and practical guides to help practitioners navigate JavaScript SEO more effectively.
Challenges and Solutions in Crawling Websites
Crawling websites that rely heavily on JavaScript can present various challenges, particularly due to anti-crawl technologies implemented by Content Delivery Networks (CDNs). The most effective solution is to whitelist the crawlers' IP address, but when that isn't an option, using different user agents or reducing crawling speed can provide workarounds. Additionally, utilizing JavaScript rendering tools can help SEO professionals understand how changes in JavaScript affect page content. Navigating these complexities underscores the importance of having the right tools and strategies in place to optimize website performance for search engines.
Patrick Hathaway, co-founder of Sitebulb, discusses the intricacies of JavaScript SEO, focusing on understanding, investigating, and auditing. He delves into common challenges faced by SEO professionals when dealing with JavaScript-heavy websites and offers practical solutions for thorough audits. Patrick emphasizes the importance of a structured approach to ensure search engines can effectively crawl and index JavaScript content. Show Notes