I recently discovered that Google has adjusted its JavaScript SEO guidelines by removing the ‘design for accessibility’ section. This decision was made because the advice was deemed outdated. Nowadays, Google handles JavaScript smoothly.
When Google announced the change, they explained the section was no longer as useful as it once was. Previously, they warned that JavaScript might obscure content from Google, but clearly, that’s not an issue anymore.
The Old Advice. Here’s what the original guidance stated:
“Design for accessibility: Create pages for users, not just search engines. When designing your site, consider users who might not use a JavaScript-capable browser, like those with screen readers or less advanced mobile devices. Test your site’s accessibility by viewing it with JavaScript turned off or in a text-only browser like Lynx. This can help identify content hard for Google to see, such as text in images.”
Why It Was Removed. Google clarified:
- “The information was outdated and less helpful. Google Search has successfully rendered JavaScript for years, so using it for content loading doesn’t hinder visibility.”
- “Most assistive technologies can now handle JavaScript as well.”
The Importance. Even though Google is adept at processing JavaScript, it’s still critical to verify what Google Search sees. I recommend using the URL inspection tool within Google Search Console to ensure everything checks out.
Remember, while Google and probably Microsoft Bing manage JavaScript efficiently, some emerging AI engines might not render it as effectively.
Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.
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