What Is a HAR File?
An HTTP Archive (HAR) file is a troubleshooting file that allows you to examine the call and response between a browser and a website. HAR files are JSON-formatted and allow you to capture critical data insights regarding web traffic at any given time.
Why should I use HAR files?
HAR files are essential for diagnosing the overall health of your website and any issues experienced by your incoming web traffic, including:
- Slow load times
- Incorrect file formats
- Missing assets
- Timeouts with running tasks
HAR files use the JSON format (JavaScript object notation syntax). By capturing data regarding web traffic at any given time, you can gather critical insights into the health of your website.
Identifying and addressing website issues is essential for both your SEO and email marketing efforts. Problems with slow loading speeds, bad URLS and destinations, and unavailable content leaves a bad impression, and your emails feeling spammy.
How do I create a HAR file?
The method for creating a HAR file depends upon your web browser. The most popular modern browsers natively support HAR files, including Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. You can generate HAR files for a given website by accessing the developer tools within your browser.
For more in-depth instructions on how to generate HAR files for a browser, use the tutorials linked below:
- Generating HAR files in Google Chrome
- Generating HAR files in Mozilla Firefox
- Generating HAR files in Safari
- Generating HAR files in Microsoft Edge
- Generating HAR files in Internet Explorer
How do I review a HAR file?
Once you generate your HAR file from your browser, you'll need software that lets you view HAR files. There are a variety of free tools available, but Google's HAR Analyzer is one of the top recommended tools available.
Inside, you'll find a log of pages documented along with a list of entries/responses captured during the period. You'll be able to identify the date and time the file was generated, along with the relevant pages and response codes.
Be sure to take advantage of HAR files, as they are free to generate and review. They are an excellent asset for improving your website experience for users and maintaining good standing for your domain with search engines.
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