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Google has removed an entire section from its JavaScript SEO guidance because it was outdated. The tech giant clarified that loading content dynamically with JavaScript no longer poses a challenge for Google Search.
The section, titled “Design for accessibility,” emphasized viewing a site as plain text to identify potential accessibility issues, such as embedded images with text, which might be difficult for Google to interpret. However, this part was discarded because the information was no longer current and less relevant. Google explained that over the past few years, its Search capabilities have improved significantly, enabling it to render JavaScript effectively. Most assistive technologies now seamlessly work with JavaScript, so relying solely on non-JavaScript versions of a site isn’t necessary for optimal search performance.
The removed instructions advised developers to create user-friendly pages, considering those who might use screen readers or outdated browsers. Testing your site without JavaScript or viewing it with text-only browsers like Lynx was recommended to spot accessibility issues, including content embedded in images that might otherwise be hidden from view.
A screenshot from the original documentation shows the guidance message emphasizing the importance of designing sites for real users and ensuring accessibility for all, even when JavaScript is disabled. A discussion about these updates is available on a forum, highlighting industry awareness of these changes.
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