Introduction: When Fetch as Google Hits a Snag
Ever clicked Fetch as Google in Adobe AEM 6.1 only to see “Partially” instead of “Complete”? You’re not alone. That sneaky message, “AT: Adobe Target content delivery is disabled. Update your DOCTYPE to support Standards mode,” can stop Google from loading resources and render your cached version incomplete. It’s a small hiccup with big SEO consequences.
In this guide, you’ll get clear, actionable steps to fix the missing <!DOCTYPE html> issue in your AEM templates, test your changes, and reclaim full indexing power. Plus, learn how Community SEO Support can keep you on track with ongoing checks, content insights and GEO visibility tracking. Ready to level up? Discover Community SEO Support with CMO.SO
Why the ‘Content Delivery Disabled’ Error Happens
Before we dive into fixes, let’s unpack what’s going on under the hood.
The Root Cause: Missing DOCTYPE
AEM 6.1 page templates sometimes omit the <!DOCTYPE html> declaration or use quirks-mode doctypes. Without a standards-mode doctype, Adobe Target disables content delivery scripts. Googlebot sees the page as non-compliant, skips parts of your HTML and assets, then flags it as partial fetch.
SEO Impact of Partial Fetches
- Skipped JavaScript and CSS files
- Broken layout in cached view
- Poor rendering by search engines
- Potential ranking drops over time
If you spot “Partially” in Search Console’s Fetch as Google, this doctype hiccup is often the culprit.
Step-by-Step: Updating Your DOCTYPE in AEM 6.1
Follow these clear steps to ensure your pages load fully and Google sees every element.
1. Locate the Template or Component
- Open CRXDE Lite or your IDE.
- Navigate to
/apps/<your-project>/components/content/page. - Identify your page’s JSP or Sightly (HTL) file.
2. Insert the HTML5 DOCTYPE
At the very top of your file, add:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
This tells browsers and bots to render in standards mode.
3. Verify Adobe Target Settings
- In AEM, go to Tools → Deployment → Adobe Target.
- Ensure “Enable Content Delivery” is ticked.
- A standards-mode doctype reactivates Target’s client-side scripts.
4. Deploy and Run Fetch as Google
- Package and deploy your code to stage or author instance.
- In Google Search Console, choose “Fetch as Google” → “Desktop”.
- Click Fetch and Render.
- You should see “Complete”.
- Check the cached view: layouts and assets should match your live page.
If you still see partial results, clear AEM and dispatcher caches. Then re-fetch.
Community SEO Support in Action
Fixing the doctype is just the start. Long-term SEO health means monitoring, content updates, and peer insights. Here’s how Community SEO Support strengthens your strategy:
Automated Content Suggestions
CMO.SO’s platform auto-generates blog outlines that fit your domain and keywords. Fill any content gaps left by partial indexing or thin pages.
One-Click Domain Submissions
No more manual submissions to scour Google just to check indexing. Submit all updated URLs in one go. Track their status and spot glitches early. Enhance your SEO with Community SEO Support at CMO.SO
GEO Visibility Tracking
Keep an eye on how your pages rank across regions. If you manage multiple geographies, you’ll know instantly when a fix in AEM improves local visibility or when a new issue arises.
Best Practices Beyond DOCTYPE
Updating your DOCTYPE solves the immediate fetch error. Now layer on these practices:
Regular Technical Audits
Use tools like Screaming Frog for crawl audits and Google Search Console for index coverage. Spot missing assets, broken links, or render-blocking scripts before Google flags them.
Community-Driven Peer Reviews
Share your implementation steps with other AEM teams. Community SEO Support provides forums where developers and SEO specialists trade troubleshooting tips and code snippets.
Version Control and Testing
Always keep doctype changes in your Git or SVN workflow. Spin up a test environment to run end-to-end checks—without risking your production site.
Advanced Tips for AEM and Adobe Target
- Lazy-load below-the-fold images but ensure your doctype is in the main template.
- If you use client-side libraries (clientlibs), confirm they load after the
headtag with the new doctype. - For SPA or headless setups, apply the doctype in your shell HTML served by the front end.
Testimonials
“I struggled for weeks with partial fetches and missing assets. With CMO.SO’s Community SEO Support, I found the doctype issue in ten minutes. Now my pages render perfectly in Google’s cache.”
— Priya S., SEO Specialist at TechPulse
“Updating the doctype in AEM was a chore until I saw the step-by-step guide on CMO.SO. Their auto-generated content ideas also helped me boost blog traffic by 25%.”
— Martin L., Digital Marketer at OmniWorld
“As a small team, we can’t monitor every page manually. Community SEO Support’s GEO tracking alerts me when anything breaks in different regions. Huge time saver.”
— Elena G., Marketing Lead at GreenLeaf Media
Wrapping Up and Next Steps
Missing the HTML5 DOCTYPE may seem trivial, but it can cripplе your SEO. By inserting <!DOCTYPE html>, re-enabling Adobe Target content delivery, and validating with Fetch as Google, you restore full indexing power. Then, lean on Community SEO Support for ongoing monitoring, auto-generated content, and GEO visibility insights.
Ready to keep your AEM pages healthy and fully indexed? Get Community SEO Support with CMO.SO
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