When images or content only load as users scroll, preventing search engines from indexing them.
Why Lazy Loading Issues Matter
Lazy loading issues are a major SEO problem because they directly impact a site’s crawlability and indexation rate. A website with a lazy loading issue can have thousands of images, videos, or even text sections that are not being indexed, which results in a massive loss of organic traffic and revenue. A significant portion of the problem is that search engine crawlers do not behave exactly like a human user, and they may not execute the JavaScript that is needed to discover the links to your pages. This can lead to a website being seen as a low-quality resource, which can harm your rankings.
Across Different CMS Platforms
The way you handle lazy loading issues depends on your CMS and how you build your site.
WordPress
WordPress users can easily set up lazy loading with a plugin. The best practice is to use a plugin that is compliant with search engine guidelines. A good plugin will have a fallback for a search crawler, ensuring that all your images and videos are seen and indexed.
Shopify
Shopify’s standard themes are well-optimized, but you can add a third-party app that adds lazy loading functionality. It is crucial to use an app that is compliant with search engine guidelines and that provides a fallback for a search crawler.
Wix
Wix has a closed system, so you typically don’t have to worry about lazy loading issues. The platform’s system is designed to handle its dynamic content in a way that is compliant with search engine guidelines.
Webflow
Webflow gives you a high degree of control over your website’s code. You can use a combination of a JavaScript-based lazy loading for a great user experience and a clear, HTML-based fallback for a search engine crawler. This is the best of both worlds.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, you have the most control but also the most responsibility. You can build a system that uses a combination of JavaScript-based lazy loading and a server-side rendered, HTML-based fallback for a search engine crawler. This is the most effective way to ensure that all your pages are indexed.
Across Different Industries
Lazy loading issues are a concern for all industries that have a large number of images or videos.
E-commerce
E-commerce sites are the most susceptible to lazy loading issues. A large product catalog that is not properly indexed can result in a significant loss of organic traffic and sales.
Local Businesses
Local businesses that use a lot of images to showcase their work can suffer from a lazy loading issue. It is crucial to ensure that all their key pages are easily crawlable and indexable.
SaaS Companies
SaaS companies that use a lot of images or videos in their marketing materials can suffer from a lazy loading issue. It is crucial to ensure that all their articles are rendered and indexed.
Blogs
Blogs with a large number of images or videos can suffer from a lazy loading issue. It is critical to ensure that all your articles are rendered and indexed, which is a major factor in organic traffic.
Do’s and Don’ts of Lazy Loading
Do’s
- Do use a lazy loading solution that is compliant with search engine guidelines. The best solutions provide a clear, HTML-based fallback for a search crawler.
- Do use a tool to check for rendering issues. The URL Inspection tool in Google Search Console will show you how Google sees your pages.
- Do use loading=”lazy” attribute. The loading=”lazy” attribute is a native browser-level solution that can be used for images and iframes.
Don’ts
- Don’t use a JavaScript-only lazy loading solution. This is the most common and devastating mistake.
- Don’t block search engines from crawling your JavaScript files. A search engine needs to access your JavaScript to properly render the page.
- Don’t lazy load your most important content. Your most important content should be visible on the first page load.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a JavaScript-only lazy loading solution: This is the most common and devastating mistake.
- Failing to use a fallback for a search crawler: A search crawler may not execute JavaScript, so a fallback is crucial.
- Having a significant delay in rendering: Even if your JavaScript is crawlable, a long delay can lead to a search crawler giving up before all your pages are indexed.
FAQs
How does lazy loading hurt my crawlability?
Lazy loading can hurt your crawlability because the content is not in the initial HTML. A search engine’s crawler must execute the JavaScript to see the content, and if there’s a rendering error or a timeout, the crawler may miss important information.
What is the difference between lazy loading and traditional loading?
Traditional loading loads all the content on a page at once. Lazy loading only loads the content that is visible in the user’s viewport.
How can I test if my website has a lazy loading issue?
You can use the URL Inspection tool in Google Search Console. It will show you a screenshot of how Google sees your page. If it doesn’t see all your images and videos, you have a problem.
Can a website with a lazy loading issue still rank?
A website with a lazy loading issue may still rank, but it can be difficult. A significant portion of your content may be invisible to search engines, which can lead to a lower ranking and a loss of organic traffic.
What is the best way to handle lazy loading?
The best way is to use a hybrid approach that uses a JavaScript-based lazy loading for a great user experience and a clear, HTML-based fallback for a search engine crawler. This is the best of both worlds.
