How Google handles JavaScript throughout the indexing process

Google's ability to handle JavaScript throughout the indexing process has significantly evolved over the years. Previously, search engines primarily indexed static HTML content, but today, Google uses an up-to-date version of Chrome for rendering and attempts to render all HTML pages, not just a subset. This article debunks several common myths about Google's handling of JavaScript-heavy websites, such as the belief that "Google can't render JavaScript content" or "JavaScript-heavy sites have slower page discovery." The research conducted by MERJ and Vercel provides evidence that Google can effectively render and index JavaScript content, including complex Single Page Applications (SPAs), dynamically loaded content, and streamed content. Furthermore, the study found no significant difference in how Google processes JavaScript-heavy pages compared to static HTML pages. While a rendering queue exists, its impact is less significant than previously thought, with most pages rendered within minutes. The research also highlights that JavaScript-heavy sites are not inherently disadvantaged in page discovery by Google and that the evaluation of a link's value for site architecture and crawl prioritization occurs after full-page rendering. Overall, developers can leverage JavaScript frameworks freely for enhanced user and developer experiences while adhering to Google's best practices for lazy-loading and optimizing application performance.