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Why does the source look different from the page?

Updated 2026-10-22T00:00:00.000Z

Quick answer
View source shows the HTML the server sent. Scripts can add or change content after the page loads, so the live page can differ from the source.

Try it now

When you view source, you see the HTML exactly as the server sent it. The page in your browser can look different because:

  • JavaScript changes the page. Apps built with React, Vue and similar tools often send an almost empty page and build it in your browser.
  • The site sends different HTML to different visitors. A phone may get another page than a desktop, or a logged-in user another page than a visitor. Use Compare on viewhtmlonline to check phone, desktop and Googlebot versions.
  • You’re logged in. Our server visits the page without your cookies, so you see what a new visitor gets.
  • Bot protection. Some sites show a check page to automated visitors. viewhtmlonline tells you when that happens.

Which one do you need?

Use view source for SEO checks, meta tags and what bots receive. Use your browser’s Inspect tool to debug the live page.

Questions people ask

Which version do search engines see?

Search engines read the source first. Google also runs scripts later, but other search engines and most AI bots read only the source.

Why is the source almost empty?

Many apps send a small HTML shell and build the page with JavaScript. The source then shows mostly script tags.