# What does server rendering send in the first response?

Server rendering means the server sends the article’s HTML content in its response before browser-side scripts enhance the page.

Preparing HTML on the server lets the first response contain readable article text. A site can still use browser-side JavaScript for filters, sharing controls or other enhancements.

## Checking the first page response

To check an article: request an article with JavaScript disabled and inspect the first HTML response. The headline, paragraphs and source links should already be in that response; if they exist only after a script runs, the initial reading path depends on that script.

## Server-rendered content can still use JavaScript

Static generation prepares HTML ahead of requests; request-time server rendering prepares it when requested. These are different implementations, but both can deliver the article without waiting for browser-side code to create its text. Inspect the response, not just the technology’s marketing label.

## Use a cold visit to check the result

Load an article with scripts disabled and try reading the body and following a source. A search box can depend on a script without making the article unreadable. Check both experiences so the team knows which parts fail when a script does not load.

## Related terms

[Internal link](https://digitalpublishingnews.com/dictionary/internal-link/)

## Continue reading

[JavaScript SEO: make article text and links available in the initial HTML](https://digitalpublishingnews.com/articles/javascript-article-rendering/): It checks the raw and rendered article for the same text and links.

## Sources

https://developers.google.com/search/docs/crawling-indexing/javascript/javascript-seo-basics

https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Glossary/SSR

Editorial method: https://digitalpublishingnews.com/how-we-use-ai/

Canonical: https://digitalpublishingnews.com/dictionary/server-rendering/