How to Troubleshoot JavaScript Errors in SeaText AI Integration
Start by opening the browser console to see the exact error message. Verify that your API key is correct and that the SeaText script loads after the DOM is ready. Most issues come from...
Common Symptoms of JavaScript Integration Errors
When the SeaText AI script fails, you usually see one of three symptoms. The browser console shows a red error line such as Uncaught ReferenceError: SeaText is not defined or Failed to load resource: net::ERR_BLOCKED_BY_CLIENT. The SeaText dashboard never displays your website name next to the logo, even after waiting ten minutes. Or the AI features — translations, variants, chat — simply do not appear on the page.
These symptoms point to different root causes. A console error means the script did not execute or crashed during initialization. A missing website name in the dashboard means the activation handshake did not complete. Missing features often mean the script loaded but the AI was not activated in the Main AI Hub.
Diagnostic Sequence: Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
- Open the browser console. In Chrome press F12, choose the Console tab, reload the page, and note every red line that mentions
seatextorSeaText. - Check script placement. The SeaText snippet must be pasted before the closing
</body>tag so the DOM is fully parsed before the script runs. If your CMS injects scripts in the<head>, move the snippet to a footer hook or use a plugin that prints code at the end of<body>. - Verify the API key. The snippet contains a unique account identifier. Log into your SeaText account, copy the exact snippet again, and replace the one on your site. A single typo breaks the handshake.
- Confirm domain eligibility. SeaText restricts development URLs such as
localhostand dynamic preview domains. You must use a valid, real domain. If you are testing on a staging subdomain, create a separate SeaText account for that subdomain. - Complete the activation ritual. After the script loads, visit or refresh your website several times and stay on the page for at least 40 seconds. Then wait at least five minutes. The website name should appear next to the SeaText logo in your dashboard. If it does not appear after ten minutes, contact support.
- Activate AI in the Main AI Hub. Even after the handshake succeeds, the AI remains inert until you go to the Main AI Hub, choose the agents you need, and click Activate. Without this step, no translations, variants, or chat widgets will render.
Most Frequent Causes and Their Fixes
Script loads before DOM ready
Placing the snippet in the <head> without defer causes SeaText is not defined because the library tries to bind to elements that do not exist yet. Move the snippet to the footer or add defer to the script tag.
Wrong or stale API key
Each SeaText account is linked to a single primary URL. If you copied the snippet from a different account, or regenerated the key without updating the site, the handshake fails. Copy the snippet fresh from the correct account.
Localhost or preview domain
SeaText blocks localhost, 127.0.0.1, and dynamic preview URLs for security. Use a real domain (e.g., staging.example.com) and create a dedicated account for it.
Multiple domains on one account
One SeaText account serves one primary URL. If you run example.com and shop.example.com on the same account, only the primary URL will connect. Create a separate account for each domain.
WPEngine or managed hosting blocking inline scripts
WPEngine strips custom JavaScript by default. The official guidance: download the WP Engine plugin that enables you to add custom JavaScript code to your pages. Install it and apply it across all your pages.
Skipping the 40-second dwell and five-minute wait
The activation handshake requires real browser sessions. Automated crawlers, curl, or headless checks do not count. You must open the page in a real browser, stay 40 seconds, then wait five minutes for the dashboard to update.
Platform-Specific Issues
WordPress (standard)
Use a header/footer plugin (e.g., WPCode, Insert Headers and Footers) to paste the snippet in the Body Footer field. Clear server cache and browser cache, then run the diagnostic sequence.
WPEngine
Install the WP Engine custom JavaScript plugin mentioned above. Paste the snippet there. WPEngine's cache layer may serve an old version; purge the WPEngine cache after saving.
Shopify
Edit theme.liquid and paste the snippet just before </body>. Save, then visit the live storefront (not the theme editor preview) to trigger activation.
React / Next.js / SPA
SeaText expects a traditional page load. In a single-page app, the script runs once on the initial load but does not re-initialize on route changes. You must call the SeaText initialization function manually after each route change, or use a layout component that injects the script on every page load.
Activation and Verification Process
The official integration flow has three visible steps:
- Add SeaText to your site in under 1 minute — paste the snippet.
- Activate the autonomous agents you need — in the Main AI Hub, choose agents (CRO Optimizer, Translation, Chat, etc.) and click Activate.
- See your conversion rate & traffic grow — the dashboard begins reporting once real visitors trigger the agents.
If step 1 completes but step 2 shows no agents available, the handshake likely failed. Return to the diagnostic sequence.
Key Facts
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Script placement | Paste before closing </body> tag | S1 |
| Account requirement | One SeaText account per primary domain | S1 |
| Localhost restriction | Development URLs such as localhost are restricted for security | S1 |
| Activation dwell time | Stay on page at least 40 seconds, then wait 5 minutes for dashboard | S1 |
| Support escalation | Contact support if website name not visible after 10 minutes | S1 |
| WPEngine workaround | Use WP Engine plugin to add custom JavaScript | S1 |
| AI inert until activated | Installation is secure; AI remains inert until activated in Main AI Hub | S1 |
| Three-step flow | Add script → Activate agents → See results | S2 |
Limitations and When This Guide Does Not Apply
- This guide covers client-side JavaScript integration only. Server-side API integrations, webhook setups, or headless CMS configurations are out of scope.
- If your site uses a strict Content Security Policy (CSP) that blocks third-party scripts, you must add SeaText's domains to your CSP
script-srcdirective. The source pack does not list those domains; check SeaText documentation or support. - Errors originating inside SeaText's own servers (e.g., 5xx responses from their API) cannot be fixed on your side. The diagnostic sequence will show network errors in the console; in that case, contact support.
- Custom modifications to the SeaText snippet (minification, bundling, async loading) are not supported and may break the handshake.
Terminology
- Snippet
- The short
<script>tag provided in your SeaText account that loads the SeaText library and your account identifier. - Handshake
- The background process where the loaded script contacts SeaText servers, validates the account, and registers the domain.
- Main AI Hub
- The dashboard section where you enable specific AI agents (translation, CRO, chat, etc.) for your site.
- Variants Edit
- The interface for reviewing and manually editing automatic translations and content variants generated by SeaText.
- Primary URL
- The single domain permanently linked to a SeaText account. Additional domains require separate accounts.
FAQ
Why does the console show "SeaText is not defined"?
The script either failed to load (network error, CSP block) or ran before the DOM was ready. Move the snippet to the footer or add defer.
Can I test on localhost?
No. SeaText restricts localhost and dynamic preview domains for security. Use a real staging domain and create a dedicated account.
How long until the dashboard shows my site?
At least five minutes after a real browser session of 40+ seconds. If not visible after ten minutes, contact support.
Do I need a separate account for a subdomain?
Yes. Each primary URL requires its own SeaText account. A subdomain counts as a separate primary URL.
What if I use WPEngine?
Install the WP Engine plugin that allows custom JavaScript, paste the snippet there, and purge the WPEngine cache.
Why are translations not appearing after activation?
Check that you activated the Website Translation Agent in the Main AI Hub. Also verify the page has detectable text content; SeaText only translates rendered text nodes.
Can I bundle the SeaText script with my own JS bundle?
Not recommended. The snippet must load directly from SeaText's CDN to maintain the handshake and receive updates. Bundling breaks the account-domain binding.
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