Google recently announced a new mandate for its Search platform – a necessity for JavaScript, the dynamic programming language predominantly used for interactive web pages. The intention behind this initiative is to significantly enhance Google Search’s defenses against potential threats like spam and bots, thereby improving the entire user experience.
A Google spokesperson, while addressing this issue, stated that various features of Google Search would not function optimally without JavaScript. The quality of search results may also take a considerable hit in its absence. Activating JavaScript will enable better protection of Google’s services, along with its users from evolving forms of security threats, bots, and spam, thus providing the most recent and relevant information.
The decision to require JavaScript drew immediate attention as numerous major websites depend on it. A recent GitHub survey revealed that 95% of websites globally feature JavaScript implementations to varying degrees. Critics, however, have pointed out that this added requirement might be problematic for users dependent on accessibility tools, which often face difficulties with certain JavaScript setups.
Despite its widespread usage, JavaScript isn’t devoid of vulnerabilities. Tech giant Datadog’s annual security survey in 2024 found that around 70% of JavaScript services have one or more significant vulnerabilities introduced by third-party software libraries.
When asked, the Google spokesperson revealed that a minuscule percentage of Google searches, less than .1%, are performed by individuals who opt to disable JavaScript. Even so, given the scale of Google, this indicates that millions of users might be performing searches on its platform without JavaScript.
Google’s shifting policy may also be an attempt to restrict third-party tools offering insights into Google Search trends and traffic. Search Engine Roundtable recently reported that several rank-checking tools developed issues with Google Search after the enforcement of the new JavaScript requirement. Google chose not to comment on Search Engine Roundtable’s report.
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