Google’s Search Relations team identified a problem with site developers overusing JavaScript, warning that it can limit a site’s visibility because AI search crawlers cannot read it.
JavaScript recap
JavaScript is an object-oriented, cross-platform programming language website developers use to make pages interactive by allowing them to use multiple features like pop-up menus, animations, clickable buttons, and updatable content.
Google explains the JavaScript spectrum
In a recent Google Search Off The Record podcast, the Search Relations team discussed the difficulties of getting JavaScript to work with modern search tools like AI and how some site developers use it when it isn’t necessary.
Search Engine Journal writer Matt G. Southern picked up on the conversation between Google Search Advocate John Mueller and Martin Splitt, discussing what they call the JavaScript spectrum.
Mueller began the conversation by saying:
- “I’ve heard at some events that developers really love JavaScript, and everyone wants to convert their websites to JavaScript frameworks.”
Mueller asked the team “if this is a thing or if people just want confirmation.”
Splitt explained what JavaScript can be used for and mentioned how it has created a spectrum between web applications and website pages.
- “We’re in this weird state where websites can be just that—websites, basically pages and information that is presented on multiple pages and linked, but it can also be an application like you can do podcast recording in the browser as we do right now, that is a web application, and you don’t have to install anything.”
He gave this example of the JavaScript spectrum:
- “You can do apartment viewings in the browser. Is that a website? Yes, in a sense, it is because it presents information like the square footage, which floor is this on, what’s the address, and how many rooms, but it’s also an application because you can use a 3D view to walk through the apartment.”
Splitt explained that more people are using JavaScript to present this information. Because of that, we are somewhere between an application and a website, or as Google calls it `The JavaScript spectrum.`
Why you shouldn’t over-rely on JavaScript
Google Search Advocate John Muller mentioned that many developers over-rely on JavaScript, which, while having its purposes, is unsuitable for modern-day search.
John Mueller said:
- “There are lots of people that like these JavaScript frameworks, and they use them for things where JavaScript really makes sense, and then they’re like, Why don’t I just use it for everything?”
The problem is that AI search crawlers can’t render JavaScript, so overusing it on your website could decrease traffic. And as AI search results are expected to increase exponentially in 2025, every web developer should know the problem with over-relying on JavaScript.
Matt G. Southern said the discussion reminded him of a recent study that said “over-reliance on JavaScript can lead to potential issues for AI search engines.”
With the growing use of AI search crawlers, Matt correctly says, “I thought it was important to highlight this conversation.”
Listen to the conversation about JavaScript on the Google Search Off The Record podcast.
