What it is
If the main navigation links only exist after JavaScript renders, crawlers may not reliably follow them. Core navigation should be in the HTML as real anchors. Primary navigation absent from raw HTML. Risk of links not being discovered if render is incomplete.
Why does links only in js-rendered nav matter for AI search?
Risk of links not being discovered if render is incomplete.
How do you fix it?
Provide crawlable <a href> links.
How do you find it on your site?
- Load the page with JavaScript disabled and check whether nav links are present.
- View the rendered versus raw HTML for navigation.
- Ensure primary navigation uses real anchor tags in the server-rendered HTML.
- Re-test crawlability.
Which ranking and citation factors does it touch?
Navigation that depends on JavaScript can leave pages under-discovered. HTML anchors guarantee the links are followed.
What is the impact?
Medium-high. Direct.
What is the evidence?
Use crawlable links Google can follow. Google Search Central, Understand JavaScript SEO Basics
Frequently asked questions about links only in js-rendered nav
What does "Links only in JS-rendered nav" mean?
Primary navigation absent from raw HTML.
How do you fix links only in JS-rendered nav?
Provide crawlable <a href> links.