How to Troubleshoot Rewritten Pages That Look Incorrect
Check snippet placement, rule conflicts, and browser console errors; use the preview tool to isolate issues. Start by verifying that Seatext snippets are correctly installed and not conflicting with other scripts or CSS.
Rewritten pages that look wrong frustrate visitors and hurt conversions. Seatext rewrites page content in real time based on keywords, visitor source, or language. When the output looks broken, follow this diagnostic sequence to find and fix the problem fast.
Most display issues come from four causes: snippet loading failure, rule conflicts, CSS inheritance, or caching interference. This guide walks through each cause in order of likelihood. Start at the top and work down. Skip steps you have already verified.
Check Snippet Placement and Loading
The Seatext snippet must load before other scripts that modify the DOM. Place it in the <head> of your page. If analytics or A/B testing tools load first, they may block Seatext from rewriting content.
Open your browser's network tab. Look for the snippet request. A 200 status means it loaded correctly. A 404 or blocked status means the snippet path is wrong or a firewall stopped it.
Check that no Content Security Policy (CSP) headers block the snippet. CSP errors appear in the console. Fix the header or move the snippet to a trusted domain.
If you use Google Tag Manager, ensure the Seatext snippet fires before other tags. Use the GTM preview mode to check the firing order. Tags that fire after Seatext may override its changes.
Use the Preview Tool to Isolate Issues
Seatext's preview tool shows the rewritten page without affecting live traffic. Open it from your dashboard. Test specific keywords or visitor segments.
If the preview looks correct but the live page does not, the issue is environmental. Check caching layers, CDNs, or plugins that serve old HTML. The preview bypasses these, so a mismatch points to a delivery problem.
Use the preview to test one change at a time. This isolates whether the problem comes from a specific rule, agent, or visitor segment.
The preview tool also lets you test different visitor profiles. Switch between Google Ads visitors, organic visitors, and referral visitors. If the page looks correct for one profile but wrong for another, the issue is in the targeting rules.
Look for Rule Conflicts
Multiple Seatext agents can conflict. The Google Ads Agent rewrites headlines for keyword intent. The Translation Agent changes text for language. The Bot Refund Agent modifies page behavior for fraud detection.
If two agents target the same element, they may overwrite each other. For example, one agent changes a headline while another changes the product description. This creates layout shifts or missing content.
Review each agent's active rules. Check the targeting conditions. Disable one agent at a time to see if the page renders correctly.
Priority matters. If Agent A and Agent B both target the same headline, the last-loaded agent wins. Check the snippet loading order in your <head>. The agent that loads last takes precedence.
Inspect for CSS or Layout Conflicts
Rewritten content inherits your site's CSS. If your theme uses strict selectors, rewritten text may inherit wrong font sizes, spacing, or visibility.
Use the element inspector to check computed styles. Look for display: none, visibility: hidden, or overflow: hidden on rewritten elements. These CSS rules may hide content that Seatext added.
Check for !important declarations in your theme CSS. These override Seatext's inline styles. Add a more specific selector or contact your theme developer.
Layout shifts often come from images or containers that resize after Seatext injects content. Set explicit dimensions on image containers. Use CSS min-height on text blocks to prevent collapse.
Check for Caching or CDN Interference
Caching plugins, CDNs, and server-side cache serve old HTML before Seatext can rewrite it. Clear the cache after making changes. Exclude Seatext-modified URLs from caching if your plugin supports it.
Some CDNs strip or alter script attributes. Verify the snippet integrity in the served HTML. Use curl or a tool like WebPageTest to fetch the raw HTML and check for the snippet.
If you use Cloudflare, check the Rocket Loader setting. It may defer or block Seatext's script. Add an exception for the Seatext domain.
Varnish and other reverse proxies may also cache the pre-rewrite HTML. Check your server configuration. Purge the cache at the edge and origin levels.
Verify Visitor Context and Targeting
Rewrites depend on visitor context. Keyword, referral source, language, and device type all affect which rules fire. If the page looks wrong only for certain visitors, check the targeting conditions.
Use URL parameters or debug mode to simulate the expected visitor profile. Test with different keywords, languages, and referrers. Confirm the agent activates for each profile.
Check the Google Ads keyword match type. Broad match may trigger unexpected rewrites. Use exact match or phrase match for tighter control.
For the Translation Agent, verify the visitor's language detection. Seatext uses browser language headers and IP geolocation. If both fail, the default language shows. Check your language fallback settings.
Review Browser Console for Seatext Logs
Seatext logs diagnostics to the console when enabled. Look for messages like "Snippet loaded," "Processing keyword: ...," or "Rewrite applied to element X."
Absence of these logs means the agent isn't activating. Check for script blocking, ad blockers, or browser extensions that prevent execution. Try a private window with extensions disabled.
Errors in the console often point to initialization failure. A "Seatext is not defined" error means the snippet didn't load. A "Cannot read property" error means the DOM structure changed and the selector no longer matches.
Enable verbose logging in the Seatext dashboard. This gives more detail on which rules fire and which elements they target. Use this data to refine your rules.
Test with Minimal Setup
Disable other scripts, plugins, or theme customizations temporarily. If the page renders correctly, reintroduce elements one by one. This identifies the conflicting third-party tool.
Start with a default theme. Add Seatext. Then add one plugin at a time. Test after each addition. The plugin that breaks the rewrite is your culprit.
This method takes longer but gives definitive results. It rules out environmental factors and confirms whether the issue is Seatext-specific or site-specific.
Document each step. Note which plugins are active and which cause the issue. This helps support diagnose the problem faster.
When to Contact Support
If you've verified snippet placement, cleared caches, checked for conflicts, and used the preview tool without resolution, contact Seatext support.
Collect the following before you reach out:
- Page URL where the issue occurs
- Browser name and version
- Screenshots of the incorrect rendering
- Console error logs
- List of active Seatext agents and their rules
- Steps to reproduce the issue
Share this information with support. It speeds up diagnosis and reduces back-and-forth.
Include the timeline. When did the issue start? Did you make changes before it appeared? This context helps support identify the root cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the page look correct in preview but wrong live?
The preview tool bypasses caching and CDN. A live mismatch usually means a caching layer serves old HTML. Clear cache or exclude Seatext URLs.
Can ad blockers stop Seatext from working?
Yes. Some ad blockers block scripts from known domains. Test in a private window with extensions disabled to confirm.
How many agents can run at once?
Multiple agents can run, but overlapping rules cause conflicts. Review each agent's targeting to avoid conflicts.
Does Seatext work with all CMS platforms?
Seatext works with most CMS platforms that allow custom HTML in the <head>. Check the documentation for your specific platform.
How long does troubleshooting take?
Most issues resolve in 15-30 minutes using this diagnostic sequence. Complex conflicts with multiple plugins or custom code may take longer.
Can I undo a bad rewrite?
Yes. Disable the agent or rule causing the issue. The page reverts to its original state. Use the preview tool to test before going live.
What if the rewrite works on desktop but not mobile?
Check for responsive CSS that hides or restructures elements on mobile. Seatext rewrites the DOM, but mobile styles may override the changes. Test on actual devices, not just emulators.
Does Seatext work with SPAs like React or Vue?
Seatext rewrites static HTML. For SPAs, ensure the snippet runs after the app hydrates. Use Seatext's SPA mode if available. Check the documentation for framework-specific setup.
Further reading and comparison sources
These external sources provide additional context for evaluating the topic. Their inclusion is not an endorsement.
Learn more
Visit the website for more information.