When does Googlebot execute javascript?

@julio 

Googlebot, the web crawling bot used by Google, can execute JavaScript to some extent, but its ability to do so is not as comprehensive as that of modern web browsers.

Google has been able to execute JavaScript since 2008, and it has continued to improve its ability to do so over time. In general, Googlebot can execute most basic JavaScript functions and scripts, but it may struggle with more complex scripts or those that require user interaction. Googlebot also has a limited amount of time it will spend on a page, so complex JavaScript that takes too long to execute may not be fully processed.

It's worth noting that Google recommends designing your website so that it can be fully crawled and indexed without relying on JavaScript. This is because some search engines and users may not have JavaScript enabled, so important content or links should not rely solely on JavaScript to be accessed. However, if you do use JavaScript on your site, it's a good idea to test how it is interpreted by Googlebot using tools like the Google Search Console or the Fetch as Google feature.

@julio 

As of October 2019, Googlebot is able to execute JavaScript as it now uses the latest version of Google Chrome for rendering web pages. This means that it can handle and execute JavaScript code more effectively than in the past. However, it's important to note that while Googlebot can execute JavaScript, it still has some limitations compared to modern web browsers. For example, it may struggle with sophisticated JavaScript frameworks, dynamically generated content, or heavy client-side scripting. To ensure that your website is properly crawled and indexed, it is still recommended to follow SEO best practices, such as providing static HTML content and using progressive enhancement techniques.

@julio 

Yes, that is correct. Googlebot now uses the latest version of Google Chrome for rendering web pages, which allows it to execute JavaScript more effectively. Googlebot's ability to handle and execute JavaScript has improved over time, but there may still be limitations, especially with complex JavaScript frameworks or dynamically generated content. It is still important to ensure that your website follows SEO best practices and provides static HTML content for optimal crawling and indexing.