When it comes to SEO and indexing issues, JavaScript often gets a bad rap. But according to Google’s Martin Splitt, that blame is rarely deserved. In a recent SearchNorwich video, Martin shares actionable insights to help SEOs diagnose and resolve crawling and indexing challenges, even if they’re not JavaScript experts.
JavaScript: Scapegoat or Suspect?
Splitt points out that while JavaScript is frequently blamed for SEO problems, it’s seldom the real culprit. He reveals that in nearly every case he investigates, the actual cause lies elsewhere—often in the misuse of JavaScript or unrelated site errors.
Speaking about a flawed debugging approach common among SEOs, Martin highlights the issue of confirmation bias—the tendency to search for evidence that aligns with preconceived notions while ignoring contradicting facts. He explains:
“SEOs look for clues that allow them to blame things they’re seeing on JavaScript… Most of the time, it’s not us—it’syou.”
In fact, out of the hundreds of cases Martin reviews annually, he has encountered just one genuine JavaScript-related bug impacting SEO.
How to Identify Rendering Issues
Splitt emphasizes the importance of understanding how Google renders a page. Rendering involves downloading resources like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create a fully functional page similar to what users experience in a browser.
Debugging this process can reveal whether a page renders properly, partially, or fails entirely.
Tools to Debug JavaScript Issues
Martin recommends the following tools to simplify debugging:
- Google Search Console URL Inspection Tool: Provides insights into how Googlebot sees and indexes your page.
- Google Rich Results Test: Helps test structured data and rendering compatibility.
- Chrome Dev Tools: Offers detailed JavaScript console messages and network diagnostics.
With these tools, SEOs can identify whether JavaScript is genuinely causing an issue or if the root problem lies elsewhere, such as blocked APIs or misconfigured resources.
Common Errors: It’s Not Always JavaScript
Martin warns against jumping to conclusions when encountering JavaScript console errors. He cites an example of an API blocked by a robots.txt file, which prevented rendering—not an issue with the JavaScript itself.
“If people were doing just that—checking these basics—90% of the people showing up in my inbox wouldn’t show up in my inbox.”
Why Does JavaScript Get Blamed?
The real issue, Martin explains, is a lack of familiarity with debugging techniques. Many SEOs mistakenly attribute crawling or rendering failures to JavaScript without fully investigating the root cause.
While JavaScript can be tricky, mastering a few debugging techniques can save time and frustration. With the right tools and approach, most indexing issues can be traced back to their actual source—hint: it’s usually not JavaScript.
Takeaway
If you’ve been quick to point fingers at JavaScript for your SEO woes, it’s time to rethink your approach. Use Martin Splitt’s tips and the recommended tools to debug rendering issues effectively. Remember, as Splitt wisely points out, the problem is more likely to be in your setup than in Google’s handling of JavaScript.
If you’re still finding it all a bit overwhelming, don’t worry—our monthly SEO packages are here to take the guesswork out of it. Let the experts handle it for you!
