The ability (or inability) of search engines to detect links generated dynamically by JavaScript.
Why JavaScript Link Discovery Matters
From my experience, understanding JavaScript link discovery is crucial because a link that cannot be found and followed is useless for SEO. If your website’s primary navigation or internal links are built with JavaScript, and the search crawler cannot discover them, it will result in a fragmented site structure. This leads to orphan pages that are not easily found and a poor distribution of link authority. While Google is excellent at this now, other search engines may not be. Therefore, ensuring your links are discoverable is a foundational part of your technical SEO and a non-negotiable step for any modern website.
Across Different CMS Platforms
The way you manage JavaScript link discovery depends on your CMS and how you build your site.
WordPress
WordPress’s default structure uses traditional HTML links, so JavaScript link discovery is not a major issue. However, if you are using a theme or plugin that uses JavaScript for navigation, it is crucial to ensure that the links are also in the HTML for a search crawler to follow.
Shopify
Shopify’s standard themes are well-optimized for search engines. However, if you are building a custom headless commerce site with a JavaScript framework, you must ensure your links are crawlable. The best practice is to use a server-side rendering (SSR) approach, which provides a fully formed HTML page to crawlers.
Wix
Wix has a streamlined, closed system that is generally SEO-friendly. The platform handles its own JavaScript rendering, so you typically don’t need to worry about the technical details of link discovery.
Webflow
Webflow generates clean, semantic HTML that is highly SEO-friendly. While you can add your own JavaScript for custom functionality, the core navigation and links are always in the HTML, which ensures they are easily discovered and followed by search engines.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, you have the most control but also the most responsibility. You can build your site’s navigation with JavaScript, but it is a best practice to ensure that the links are also in a server-side rendered HTML format to ensure maximum crawlability.
Across Different Industries
The impact of JavaScript link discovery can vary by industry.
E-commerce
E-commerce sites often use JavaScript for dynamic filters, shopping cart functionality, and product galleries. It is crucial to ensure that the links to your product pages and categories are crawlable, as this is how customers find your products.
Local Businesses
Local businesses may use JavaScript to display a dynamic map or a photo gallery. It is important to ensure that these elements do not interfere with the core navigation of the site.
SaaS Companies
SaaS companies often use JavaScript for their marketing pages and product dashboards. It is crucial to ensure that the links to their features and pricing pages are easily discoverable by search engines.
Blogs
Blogs may use JavaScript for a dynamic “related posts” section or for infinite scrolling. It is essential to ensure that the links in these sections are crawlable, as they are a key part of your internal linking strategy.
Do’s and Don’ts of JavaScript Link Discovery
Do’s
- Do use a href tags. Even if you use JavaScript for a dynamic element, the link should still be in an <a> tag with an href attribute.
- Do use a clear internal linking structure. A good site structure with clear internal links helps crawlers find and understand all your content.
- Do use Google Search Console. The URL Inspection tool will show you exactly how Google sees your pages.
Don’ts
- Don’t use JavaScript-only links for your primary navigation. This is the number one mistake and can lead to a fragmented site structure.
- Don’t use a span or div for a link. A link should always be an <a> tag with an href attribute.
- Don’t block search engines from crawling your JavaScript files. A search engine needs to access your JavaScript to properly render the page.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using JavaScript for the core navigation: A website’s main navigation should always be in a server-side rendered HTML format to ensure maximum crawlability.
- Failing to use <a> tags: Some developers use div or span tags with a JavaScript click handler, which is not crawlable.
- Having a significant delay in rendering: Even if your JavaScript is crawlable, a long delay in rendering can lead to your content being missed by a search engine.
FAQs
Is JavaScript a ranking factor?
No, JavaScript is not a ranking factor. However, the way it is implemented can significantly impact your website’s crawlability, which is a major factor in search rankings.
How is JavaScript link discovery different from a regular link?
A regular link is in the HTML source code, while a JavaScript link is generated dynamically after the page loads. Search engines must render the JavaScript to find and follow the links.
How can I test if my links are crawlable?
The best way is to use Google’s URL Inspection tool in Google Search Console. It will show you a screenshot of how Google sees your page and a list of all the links it found.
Does using JavaScript for a link pass link authority?
Yes. Google has confirmed that a JavaScript link can pass link authority. However, it is a best practice to use a standard HTML link for all your core navigation.
What is the difference between client-side and server-side rendering?
Client-side rendering means the browser builds the page with JavaScript. Server-side rendering means the server builds the page with a fully formed HTML document, which is better for SEO.
