Definition
A Headless CMS (Strapi, Contentful, Sanity, Prismic) manages content via an API without imposing a frontend. Content is consumed by a frontend framework (Next.js, Nuxt.js, Gatsby) that handles rendering. For SEO, this architecture offers advantages (full freedom over HTML, meta tags, and performance) but also risks if the frontend is not properly optimized. Critical points include sitemap generation, redirect management, dynamic meta tag implementation, and rendering mode choice (SSR, SSG, ISR). The absence of built-in SEO plugins (like Yoast for WordPress) means each optimization must be implemented manually or via dedicated components.
Key Points
- Total flexibility over frontend and SEO optimizations
- Requires manual implementation of SEO features (sitemaps, redirects, meta tags)
- Frontend framework choice (Next.js, Nuxt.js) is crucial for rendering mode
Practical Examples
Strapi + Next.js architecture
A corporate site uses Strapi as headless CMS and Next.js in SSG for the frontend. Editors manage content in Strapi, and Next.js generates optimized static pages with automatic meta tags and structured data.
WordPress to headless migration
A media outlet migrates from WordPress to Contentful + Gatsby. Load time drops from 4s to 0.8s, but the team discovers that redirects and sitemaps need to be re-implemented manually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not automatically. A headless CMS offers more technical control but requires more SEO implementation work. WordPress has the advantage of mature SEO plugins (Yoast, RankMath). A headless CMS is preferable for technical teams who want full control over performance and rendering.
Strapi (open source), Contentful, Sanity, and Prismic are all good choices. SEO impact depends more on the frontend framework used (Next.js is recommended for its SSR/SSG/ISR capabilities) than the CMS itself.
Go Further with LemmiLink
Discover how LemmiLink can help you put these SEO concepts into practice.
Last updated: 2026-02-07