Pages with Low Text-HTML Ratio

Understanding Low Text-to-HTML Ratio in SEMrush Audits (and Why You Shouldn’t Worry About It)

If you've used SEMrush to audit your website, you may have encountered a report labeled "Low Text-to-HTML Ratio." This issue can sound technical and concerning, but the reality is, it’s often irrelevant for most websites today. In this post, we’ll cover what a low text-to-HTML ratio means, why it’s not something to stress about, and what you should focus on instead.

What is a Low Text-to-HTML Ratio?

When SEMrush flags a "Low Text-to-HTML Ratio," it essentially means that there is more HTML code than actual text content on the page. HTML is the code used to structure and style your webpage, while text is the visible content, like paragraphs, headings, and links. When a page contains significantly more code than content, the text-to-HTML ratio appears low.

Why Was This an Issue for SEO?

Historically, websites with excessive HTML relative to text were a red flag for Google. Before the days of WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, and other website builders, webpages were built using simple HTML, and a high code-to-content ratio could signal attempts to hide spammy or manipulative code. For instance, a site with limited visible text but lots of backend code might have been trying to game search rankings by stuffing keywords or hiding content, which Google frowned upon.

Why You Don’t Need to Worry About It Anymore

With today’s website builders, complex code is now the norm. WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, and similar platforms rely on extensive HTML to provide various features and functionalities. Google is well aware of this shift and has publicly stated that a low text-to-HTML ratio is no longer an SEO issue. In fact, a Google representative even called this issue "stupid" due to its irrelevance in modern SEO.

Despite Google’s stance, SEMrush still reports it. It’s possible they’ve retained this warning for continuity’s sake, as SEMrush seldom removes any established issue types from their reports.

What to Focus on Instead: Low Word Count Pages

If your SEMrush audit shows a low text-to-HTML ratio, take a look to see if you also have the issue "Pages Have a Low Word Count." This is often a more meaningful concern.

Pages with low word counts, such as a contact page or a basic info page, might not provide enough context for Google to understand their relevance, which can impact their visibility in search results. This can be particularly important for content-heavy pages, like blog posts or landing pages, which benefit from having substantial and valuable content.

If your audit flags a low word count on key pages (like your homepage or blog pages), consider adding more in-depth, relevant content. This will not only improve user experience but also make your page more likely to show up in search results.

Key Takeaways

1. Don’t stress over a low text-to-HTML ratio: It's a non-issue in modern SEO due to today’s complex website structures.

2. Check for low word count on key pages: If your main website pages or blog pages have low word counts, it may be worth adding more text.

3. Optimize your content: Make sure your content is meaningful, relevant, and useful to your audience. This is far more important than worrying about the text-to-HTML ratio.

By focusing on quality content and user experience, you’ll be optimizing your website in ways that genuinely benefit your SEO.