If your custom JavaScript code is not displaying properly on Google indexed pages for a Webflow landing page, several technical and SEO-related factors could be contributing.
1. JavaScript Execution Timing or Placement
- Script placement within the page (inside
<head> vs before </body>) impacts when the code runs. - Googlebot might index the HTML before JS executes fully, especially for scripts loaded too late or asynchronously.
- Try placing your custom JS under Project Settings > Custom Code > Before tag, unless early execution is essential.
2. Client-Side Rendering and SEO Crawlers
- Webflow pages are rendered server-side, but if your custom JS dynamically injects content, Googlebot may not index it correctly.
- Google does generally render JavaScript, but rendering may take longer or fail if resources are blocked or poorly implemented.
- Confirm your JS doesn’t rely on
DOMContentLoaded without fallback, or on user interactions to trigger visibility.
3. Bugs or Errors in the JavaScript
- Yes, it’s absolutely possible your custom code has a bug:
- Check for undefined variables, syntax errors, or timing issues (e.g., accessing DOM elements before they exist).
- Use your browser console and Webflow’s Published Site, not just the Designer preview.
4. Googlebot-Specific Rendering Limitations
- Google may bypass or delay executing non-essential scripts.
- If your script depends on external resources (e.g., from a CDN), ensure they are not blocked by robots.txt or have CORS issues.
- Test with Google’s URL Inspection Tool in Search Console to see how Google renders the page.
5. Missing noscript Fallback
- If your content is entirely JS-rendered, Google might skip or delay it.
- Include a
noscript tag with fallback content if visibility is critical for SEO.
6. Page Caching or Delayed Updates in Google Index
- Google may serve a cached version of your page where your latest script isn’t yet indexed.
- After updating JS, submit the page for reindexing in Google Search Console.
Summary
A custom JS code not displaying properly in Google’s indexed version of your Webflow page could result from script placement issues, client-side rendering delays, or actual code bugs. Use browser dev tools and Google Search Console to test rendering and debug potential problems. Validate that the script loads properly, works without user interaction, and doesn't rely on blocked or slow external assets.
