Google’s Tabbed Content Dilemma: Are You Losing SEO Rankings?

Website owners and digital marketers have long debated whether Google can effectively crawl and index tabbed content. Now, thanks to insights from John Mueller, we finally have some clarity—but it might not be what you expected.

SEO expert Remy Sharp recently asked on Bluesky whether Google and other search engines could navigate JavaScript or CSS-based tabbed navigation to expose hidden content. Mueller’s response provided some answers but also reignited industry concerns.

Curious: is there any real world research showing that (Google and other) SEO crawlers can navigate JavaScript (or even separately CSS based) tab systems? i.e. to expose the initially hidden tab and navigate it (perhaps if there’s links inside the tab panel)

— rem / Remy Sharp (@remysharp.com) January 22, 2025 at 3:45 PM

Google’s Take: Can It See Your Tabbed Content?

Mueller confirmed that Google does not interact with on-click elements to reveal hidden content under the same URL. 

However, if the content is loaded in the DOM (Document Object Model) at page load, it can be indexed. 

Well, what does that mean? If Google can’t see it from the start, it’s as good as invisible.

Mueller advised using Google’s Inspect URL tool in Search Console to check how a webpage’s HTML structure appears to Google. 

Additionally, he emphasized using proper <a> elements instead of onclick handlers to ensure pages are correctly crawled and indexed.

Tabbed Content’s Ranking Mystery

Mueller’s statements have fueled ongoing debates within the SEO community. While some experts claim Google treats tabbed content the same as visible text, others believe hidden content ranks lower in search results. The underlying issue? User engagement.

If visitors can’t easily find key information, they may bounce, leading to reduced dwell time and lower rankings.

Mueller compared it to long pages—Google can index text buried at the bottom, but if users don’t stick around to read it, its value diminishes. 

Similarly, if crucial content is tucked behind tabs, it may never be seen, leading users to abandon the page.

Should You Stop Using Tabbed Navigation?

If your website relies on tabbed navigation, don’t panic. You don’t necessarily need to abandon it, but you should take steps to ensure important content isn’t getting lost. 

Here’s what you should do:

• Make Important Content Instantly Visible – If it’s essential for SEO, it should be on display when the page loads.
• Use Google Search Console’s Inspect Tool – This will show if Google is indexing your tabbed content.
• Avoid Hiding Critical Information Behind Clicks – Ensure vital details are accessible without user interaction.
• Monitor User Behavior – Use analytics to see if visitors engage with tabbed sections or bounce quickly.
• Experiment with Hybrid Layouts – Try keeping key sections open while storing secondary details in tabs.

What’s Next? The Future of SEO and Interactive Content

As websites prioritize clean, user-friendly design, the challenge of balancing aesthetics with SEO persists. Google continually improves its ability to parse JavaScript and CSS, but user experience remains crucial in rankings. 

In the future, Google may enhance its crawling and ranking algorithms for interactive content. However, until solid research verifies that tabbed content performs comparably, website owners should focus on accessibility and visibility.

Key Takeaways

• Google indexes tabbed content if it loads in the DOM, but its ranking impact is unclear.
• User experience matters—hidden content can frustrate visitors and increase bounce rates.
• Google’s Search Console tools can verify if your content is being indexed properly.
• JavaScript-triggered elements may hurt SEO visibility—avoid relying solely on them.
• Future updates may improve Google’s handling of interactive content, but for now, visibility is key.