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Is Your Ajax Blocking the Search Engines?

By Gary Thomas | August 29, 2007

Many websites are starting to use Ajax to control some of their content on many of their pages. However, they will notice a drop in rankings and traffic. The problem with this is Google has a hard time reading JavaScript. The engines can read the script, it just won’t parse it.

Software Developer provides this recent article for some work around to get the engine to read your website.

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  • Design your site with degradable AJAX, that way users with JavaScript disabled can view a working version of your website along with JavaScript enabled visitors.
  • After you’ve established a non-AJAX working version of your website, go back and include an alternative AJAX enhancements where you desire.
  • When designing, make sure to check your website with JavaScript disabled as well as through the eyes of a text only browser such as Lynx or SEO-Browser.
  • Perform a browser check to make sure the user has JavaScript enabled, that way you’re only serving AJAX pages to users that can view them.

Some hints that will cause your site not to be seen:

  • Making it too simple. Designing sites where AJAX controls everything and serves content on a single page can be a search engine ranking disaster, as your website will have only one URL for everything. Instead, be sure to offer unique sub-links and URLs for popular site features.
  • Disabling browser controls. Since AJAX does not communicate with your browser’s history, simple actions like hitting your browsers back and forward buttons are rendered useless. Although you may not traverse your website via browser buttons, many users do. Make sure you’re not overdoing AJAX so much that users get lost in your website.
  • Not using Google’s Webmaster Tools. These tools are a simply and reliable way to keep track of the pages of your website Google is indexing.

Recently at the SES San Jose show, Mikkel deMib Svendsen of deMib.com had these tips:

  • Use AJAX but not too often.
  • Use AJAX only if it boosts your business or generates more income.
  • Let AJAX be a choice and not be made mandatory.
  • Set proper (301) redirects of “wrong” linking to the AJAX application.
  • Leave it to the professionals. AJAX is HIGHLY insecure. Only TRUSTWORTHY vendors and consultants must be used.

Ajax, if used efficiently, can enhance your website visually by both the users experience along with search engines. Java Script can be very tricky when it comes to pleasing the search engines. Before you proceed, just make sure you have everything mapped out so you don’t leave one area uncovered.

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2 Responses to “Is Your Ajax Blocking the Search Engines?”

  1. Mike Murray Says:
    August 29th, 2007 at 7:30 pm

    It’s a tough balancing act sometimes, but programmers and marketers need to work it out. Thanks for the post.

  2. RoxySpinklez Says:
    August 31st, 2007 at 10:36 pm

    If you want to know how much trouble your AJAX could be causing for your site to rank there is a simple test you can try out. Just set your internet settings/options to disable JAVA. what your browser displays with JAVA off is indicative of what the search engines are reading. If you see errors or a blank screen… think “OH NO!” and get recoding those pages! :)

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