I am currently developing a Next.js page with SSR, however we noticed the byte size is quite large since we are server rendering the whole page on the server impacting performance. To improve this we are planning to separate the render logic:
- for bots / crawlers → render the whole page with SSR
- for users → render only above the fold elements with SSR
As far as I know this shouldn’t be considered cloaking because we are still rendering the same content. But would like to know your thoughts on this since I will have to convince the SEO and product team that it should be fine. Thanks!
It’s a good idea to optimize your website for performance by rendering only above-the-fold elements for users. However, you need to be careful about how you implement this to avoid being flagged for cloaking by search engines.
While your intention is to provide the same content for both bots and users, there’s a risk of being perceived as cloaking if the content below the fold is significantly different or delayed.
Here’s why:
- Search engines aim to provide users with the most relevant and high-quality content. If a user sees a different experience than what a search engine sees, it can be interpreted as an attempt to manipulate search rankings.
- Delayed loading of content can negatively impact user experience. If the content below the fold takes a long time to load, it can lead to a higher bounce rate and lower engagement, which can also affect your rankings.
Here are some things you can do to mitigate the risk of cloaking:
- Ensure the content below the fold is relevant and valuable. The content should be a natural continuation of the above-the-fold content and provide users with additional information or functionality.
- Use lazy loading for images and other heavy assets. This will help improve performance without affecting the user experience.
- Provide clear and concise navigation. Ensure users can easily navigate to the content below the fold without having to scroll down a large distance.
- Consider using a progressive enhancement approach. This means loading the core content first and then progressively loading additional content as the user interacts with the page.
Ultimately, the key is to be transparent with search engines about your approach and provide a positive user experience. It’s always a good idea to consult with SEO experts to ensure your implementation is compliant with search engine guidelines.