The GraphQL-Powered Framework

Gatsby is a React-based framework whose architectural heart is Static Site Generation (SSG). Its unique feature is a powerful data layer that uses GraphQL to create a unified "content mesh," pulling data from any source (headless CMSs, Markdown, APIs) during the build process.

Blazing-Fast Static Sites

Gatsby's default output is a fully static website, which is its primary SEO advantage.

• Instant Crawlability: Every page is a pre-rendered HTML file, so crawlers can index content instantly and completely.
• Peak Performance: Static sites are inherently fast. Gatsby adds further optimizations like code-splitting, lazy-loading, and image optimization, leading to excellent Core Web Vitals.

The Power of Plugins

Gatsby's extensive plugin library is key to its SEO capabilities.

• gatsby-plugin-sitemap: Automatically generates a sitemap.xml during the build.
• gatsby-plugin-image: A standout feature that provides a component for automatic image optimization, including resizing, modern formats, and lazy loading.
• Metadata: Typically managed by creating a reusable SEO component that uses react-helmet-async to populate head tags.

• Choose Gatsby for content-heavy sites: blogs, documentation, and marketing websites.
• Leverage the plugin ecosystem for SEO tasks; this is the idiomatic "Gatsby way."
• Master the GraphQL data layer to unlock Gatsby's full potential.
• The gatsby-plugin-image is non-negotiable for any Gatsby site with images.