Google Completes Block on Search for Browsers Without JavaScript

Google has officially confirmed it has fully terminated support for search queries from browsers with javascript disabled, effective September 11 of this year. The policy, which had been gradually implemented since late 2024, is now fully in force, impacting millions of users who consciously disable javascript for security reasons or use browsers that lack it.

Many internet users deliberately disable javascript in their browsers, primarily for reasons related to security and privacy. In high-security environments where maximum data protection is required, disabling javascript is a standard practice to mitigate risks associated with browser vulnerabilities or targeted attacks by malicious actors.

According to Google's own data, the share of search queries processed without javascript was less than 0.1% of the total. However, the absolute numbers are still significant: given that Google handles roughly 8.5 billion queries per day, even 0.1% translates to approximately 8.5 million daily queries. Consequently, this decision affects at least several million active users worldwide for whom disabled javascript is a conscious choice.

Google's official stance centers on improving security and combating abuse. A company representative stated that mandating javascript allows them to better protect the search engine from bots, spam, and attempts to manipulate search results. Google claims this is necessary to counter evolving threats and improve the overall user experience.

According to reports from Search Engine Roundtable, the change has already caused disruptions for third-party tools used to analyze Google search rankings. Google itself has declined to comment on this side effect. Furthermore, it's possible that some previously loyal users may switch to alternative search engines that don't impose such requirements, which could potentially impact Google's market share.

Other search engines that do not have similar javascript mandates include DuckDuckGo, Brave Search, Yandex, and Searx. The industry will be watching to see if other major players follow Google's lead and make javascript mandatory on their platforms as well.