Subresource Integrity (SRI)

Definition

Subresource Integrity (SRI) is a security feature that enables browsers to verify that files they fetch (for example, from CDNs) are delivered without unexpected manipulation. It works by allowing you to provide a cryptographic hash that a fetched file must match.

Subresource Integrity (SRI) Relevance For SEO

SRI might have an indirect impact on SEO for the following reasons: It improves website security, leading to a better user experience and trust. This is indirectly beneficial for SEO as search engines like Google reward secure and user-friendly websites with higher rankings. Although SRI doesn’t directly influence SEO, it prevents possible negative impacts caused by compromised files, such as increased page load times, which in turn can influence your SEO performance negatively.

Subresource Integrity (SRI) Best Practices for SEO

Best practices for implementing SRI for SEO include:

  • Use SRI for All Hosted Files: Implement SRI for all the files that your website fetches especially JavaScript and CSS files that potentially have the most significant impact on site performance and user experience.
  • Keep Your Hashes Updated: If you update a file that has SRI implemented, make sure to update the hash or SRI tag as well. Otherwise, browsers will block the file, causing unexpected issues.
  • Cross Verify Your SRI Implementation: Test your SRI hashes regularly to ensure they match the delivered files. Any mismatch can lead to a file being blocked.