X-DNS-Prefetch-Control header missing: what it is, why it matters, and how to fix it
The X-DNS-Prefetch-Control header is not set. DNS prefetching can leak information about which links a user might visit.
Where this fits: security in SEO
Why x-dns-prefetch-control header missing hurts your rankings
When DNS prefetching is enabled, the browser resolves domain names for links on the page before the user clicks them. While this improves performance, it can leak user browsing intentions to DNS servers and network observers, which may be a privacy concern for sensitive applications.
This is a low-severity issue: a polish item. Fix it in batches during scheduled maintenance; the win is cumulative quality, not a step change.
How to fix it
Add the X-DNS-Prefetch-Control header set to 'off' for sensitive pages, or 'on' if performance is prioritized over privacy. Evaluate your use case to choose the appropriate value.
X-DNS-Prefetch-Control: offFrequently asked questions
What does "X-DNS-Prefetch-Control header missing" mean?
The X-DNS-Prefetch-Control header is not set. DNS prefetching can leak information about which links a user might visit.
Why does x-dns-prefetch-control header missing matter for SEO?
When DNS prefetching is enabled, the browser resolves domain names for links on the page before the user clicks them. While this improves performance, it can leak user browsing intentions to DNS servers and network observers, which may be a privacy concern for sensitive applications.
How do I fix x-dns-prefetch-control header missing?
Add the X-DNS-Prefetch-Control header set to 'off' for sensitive pages, or 'on' if performance is prioritized over privacy. Evaluate your use case to choose the appropriate value.
How serious is this issue?
This is a low-severity issue: a polish item. Fix it in batches during scheduled maintenance; the win is cumulative quality, not a step change. It belongs to the security family of checks.
How do I find every page affected by this on my site?
Run a free Dr Urls audit: it crawls your site, detects x-dns-prefetch-control header missing on every affected page, shows example URLs, and generates a ready-to-use fix task. Re-scan after fixing to verify the issue is gone.
Does your site have this issue?
A free Dr Urls audit crawls your site, finds every page affected by x-dns-prefetch-control header missing, and hands you a ready-made fix task.
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