Cloudflare
PerformanceCDN and security infrastructure for faster websites
Overview
Cloudflare operates the world's largest edge network, providing CDN services that directly impact website performance metrics search engines care about. Founded in 2009, the company has evolved from basic DDoS protection to a comprehensive web performance platform that serves over 20% of all websites globally. For SEO practitioners, Cloudflare's primary value lies in its ability to improve Core Web Vitals scores through global edge caching, image optimization, and reduced server response times.
The platform sits between your website and visitors, caching static content across 300+ data centers worldwide. This geographic distribution reduces Time to First Byte (TTFB) and Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) scores, both critical ranking factors. Unlike pure performance tools like GTmetrix or PageSpeed Insights that only measure speed, Cloudflare actively improves it through infrastructure changes.
What sets Cloudflare apart from competitors like AWS CloudFront or Google Cloud CDN is its focus on ease of use and comprehensive security features bundled with performance optimization. While other CDNs require technical expertise to configure properly, Cloudflare provides sensible defaults that improve most websites immediately after DNS changes.
Key features
Global CDN
Edge caching across 300+ data centers reduces TTFB and improves Core Web Vitals scores globally.
Image Optimization
Polish and Image Resizing automatically compress and resize images, reducing payload without quality loss.
Workers Edge Computing
Serverless functions run at edge locations for dynamic content optimization and faster response times.
Caching Rules
Granular control over what content gets cached and for how long, critical for proper SEO crawling.
SSL/TLS Encryption
Free SSL certificates and modern TLS protocols improve security signals and search rankings.
DDoS Protection
Unmetered protection maintains site availability during attacks, preventing SEO impact from downtime.
Analytics Dashboard
Real-time metrics on bandwidth, requests, and security threats help identify performance bottlenecks.
Page Rules
URL-specific optimizations like redirects, security headers, and cache settings for technical SEO control.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/month | Basic DDoS protection, SSL certificates, 100k requests/month, limited workers |
| Pro | $20/month | Enhanced security, image optimization, mobile redirect, web application firewall |
| Business | $200/month | Custom SSL, advanced cache controls, image resizing, Polish optimization |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | Dedicated support, custom contracts, advanced bot management, load balancing |
FAQ
Does Cloudflare improve Core Web Vitals scores?
Yes, Cloudflare's CDN, image optimization, and edge caching typically improve LCP and reduce CLS. The impact depends on your origin server performance and configuration.
Will Cloudflare affect my SEO rankings?
Generally positive impact through faster page speeds and better uptime. However, misconfigured cache rules or page rules can break crawling if not set up properly.
Is the free Cloudflare plan enough for SEO?
The free plan provides basic CDN and security benefits that help with page speed. Pro plan adds image optimization features that significantly impact Core Web Vitals.
Does Cloudflare hide my real server IP from search engines?
Yes, Cloudflare proxies requests and hides your origin IP. This is generally fine for SEO and actually protects against attacks that could cause downtime.
Can Cloudflare break my site's SEO?
Improper configuration of page rules, redirects, or cache settings can cause issues with crawling and indexing. Always test configurations thoroughly before applying globally.
Review Sentiment
1,071 reviews across 2 sources
Bottom line
Cloudflare costs nothing and does robust DDoS protection well enough to earn a 4.6/5 from 1,071 users. Just know that advanced features like Workers, edge rules, and bot management are locked.
People love
- +Robust DDoS protection, WAF, and SSL/TLS encryption with a generous free tier that covers basic security needs
- +Global CDN with content caching that noticeably reduces latency and improves website performance
- +User-friendly dashboard with intuitive setup that requires minimal technical configuration to get started
Common complaints
- –Advanced features like Workers, edge rules, and bot management are locked behind expensive higher tiers
- –Customer support is slow and difficult to reach, especially for free and lower-tier plan users
- –Overly strict security settings can block legitimate users with unclear reasons for why requests are challenged
Last updated Feb 2026