Quick Reference
Element Code: IN-013
Issue: Canonical tag is added by JavaScript, not in initial HTML
Impact: May not be processed if JavaScript rendering is delayed
Fix: Add canonical to initial HTML response
Detection: Compare View Source vs Inspect Element
What Is This Issue?
When canonical tags are only present after JavaScript execution, there is risk that search engines may not see them during initial crawl. While Google renders JavaScript, timing issues can occur.
Why This Matters for Your Website
Server-rendered canonicals are more reliable. JavaScript-dependent canonicals add unnecessary risk to your canonicalization strategy.
How to Fix This Issue
- Move to server-side: Output canonical in initial HTML
- Check View Source: Canonical should be visible without JS
- Use SSR: Server-side rendering for critical meta tags
Tools for Detection
- View Source: Check initial HTML
- Screaming Frog: Compare HTML vs rendered
TL;DR (The Simple Version)
Your canonical tag only appears after JavaScript runs. Move it to the initial HTML response so search engines see it immediately without needing to render JavaScript.
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