What it is
Text drawn into a canvas or WebGL scene is pixels, not text. Google cannot read it, so any content that matters needs a real textual equivalent in the DOM. Text/info painted into canvas or WebGL. Such content is not text-extractable; Google can’t read it.
Why does content in canvas/webgl matter for AI search?
Such content is not text-extractable; Google can’t read it.
How do you fix it?
Provide real HTML text equivalents.
How do you find it on your site?
- Identify content rendered into canvas or WebGL.
- Check whether an equivalent exists as real text in the HTML.
- Provide the important content as selectable text, with the canvas as enhancement.
- Confirm the text version appears in the rendered HTML.
Which ranking and citation factors does it touch?
Only textually expressed content can be indexed and quoted. Canvas-only content is invisible to search and AI answers.
What is the impact?
High for affected content. Direct.
What is the evidence?
Googlebot finds only textually-visible content; express it in text. Google Search Central, SEO Guide for Web Developers
Frequently asked questions about content in canvas/webgl
What does "Content in canvas/WebGL" mean?
Text/info painted into canvas or WebGL.
How do you fix content in canvas/WebGL?
Provide real HTML text equivalents.