Static Rendering vs. Server-Side Rendering: Which Wins for SEO?

When it comes to building fast, SEO-friendly websites, the debate between Static Rendering (SSG) and Server-Side Rendering (SSR) is still common. While SSR has its strengths for highly dynamic data, static rendering consistently delivers superior results for SEO.

The reason? Search engines prefer speed and predictability. Pre-built HTML files generated with SSG are served instantly, without waiting for server processes. This means lower latency, faster load times, and a smoother experience for both users and crawlers.

With Astro, developers can take full advantage of static rendering while still embedding islands of interactivity where needed. Instead of bloating every page with JavaScript, Astro keeps most pages zero-JS by default, ensuring Core Web Vitals are met with ease.

In short, if SEO is your priority, static rendering provides the foundation for better rankings, faster indexing, and reduced infrastructure costs — without sacrificing modern user experiences.

Guillaume Duhan

• Static Rendering vs Server-Side Rendering
• Astro Islands: The Best of Both Worlds
• Google’s Core Web Vitals and Why They Matter