How to Disable Google CDN Elementor

Elementor is one of the most popular page builders for WordPress, widely used by website owners and developers for its user-friendly interface and robust functionality. One feature Elementor incorporates is Google CDN (Content Delivery Network) for assets like Google Fonts, which can enhance website performance by loading fonts and scripts faster from Google’s global servers. However, some users prefer not to use Google CDN, either for privacy concerns, data control, or to meet compliance requirements. Disabling Google CDN in Elementor allows you to host assets directly, giving you more control over your website’s performance and data flow. This guide provides an in-depth look at why you might want to disable Google CDN in Elementor and offers a step-by-step approach to achieving it.

Understanding Google CDN and Its Role in Elementor

A CDN, or Content Delivery Network, is a network of servers distributed globally to deliver content more efficiently to users. When enabled, Google CDN in Elementor helps speed up load times for Google Fonts by delivering them from a nearby server, reducing latency. This can improve website performance and user experience, especially on websites with large amounts of text and imagery. However, reliance on Google CDN can lead to issues, such as data privacy concerns, dependency on external services, and potential conflicts with certain privacy laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for European users.



If your goal is to increase control over your data, improve page loading times in specific regions, or adhere to privacy policies that limit third-party requests, you may want to consider disabling Google CDN in Elementor. This guide covers different methods to disable Google CDN in Elementor, including custom code snippets, third-party plugins, and alternative font-hosting options.

Reasons to Disable Google CDN in Elementor

There are several compelling reasons to disable Google CDN in Elementor:

1. Privacy and Compliance: Data privacy is a priority for many websites, especially those operating in regions with strict privacy laws. Google’s CDN servers log IP addresses and user interactions, which may conflict with privacy-focused websites and GDPR compliance.


2. Better Control Over Website Assets: When you use Google CDN, some assets (such as fonts) are hosted externally. By disabling Google CDN, you gain full control over the hosting, updating, and caching of these resources.


3. Improved Site Speed in Certain Cases: Although Google CDN generally helps with load times, there are cases where self-hosted fonts can reduce latency. Websites that already leverage a CDN for other assets may experience faster load times by disabling Google’s CDN, especially in regions with less efficient Google CDN connectivity.


4. Consistency Across Offline Environments: For websites developed in isolated environments or servers without external access, disabling Google CDN can prevent connectivity issues with third-party resources.

Step-by-Step Guide to Disable Google CDN in Elementor

Step 1: Install and Set Up a Child Theme

Before making changes to your theme files, it's a good idea to use a child theme. A child theme allows you to make changes without affecting the main theme’s updates, ensuring that your customizations remain intact. If you don’t already have a child theme installed, follow these steps:

• Go to your WordPress dashboard, then navigate to Appearance > Themes.


• Click "Add New" and select a child theme generator plugin like “Child Theme Configurator.”


• Follow the instructions to set up a child theme. Once created, activate it.

With a child theme in place, you’re now ready to add custom code to disable Google CDN in Elementor.

Step 2: Add Custom Code to Disable Google Fonts CDN

The first method to disable Google CDN in Elementor for fonts involves adding code to your theme’s functions.php file. Follow these steps:

• Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Appearance > Theme Editor.


• Open the functions.php file for your child theme.


• Add the following code snippet to disable Google Fonts loading from Elementor:
  
  
  

  php

  
  

  
  

  // Disable Google Fonts in Elementor
add_filter('elementor/frontend/print_google_fonts', '__return_false');


  
  

This code will prevent Elementor from loading Google Fonts, disabling Google CDN for fonts on your website.

Step 3: Download and Host Fonts Locally

Once Google Fonts CDN is disabled, you’ll need to download the specific fonts used on your site and host them locally. Here’s how:

1. Download the Fonts: Go to the Google Fonts website and search for the fonts you use in Elementor. Download the font files (in .woff or .ttf format).


2. Upload Fonts to Your Site: Upload the font files to your WordPress media library or, for better organization, create a folder in your wp-content directory (such as wp-content/uploads/fonts).


3. Add Custom CSS to Load Fonts Locally: Use CSS to link to the locally-hosted fonts by going to Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS and adding the following:
   
   
   

   css

   
   

   
   

   @font-face
font-family: 'YourFontName';
src: url('https://yourwebsite.com/wp-content/uploads/fonts/YourFontFile.woff2') format('woff2'),
url('https://yourwebsite.com/wp-content/uploads/fonts/YourFontFile.woff') format('woff');
font-weight: normal;
font-style: normal;



   
   

Replace YourFontName and YourFontFile with the name of your font and the file path. This CSS code ensures that your fonts load from your server, eliminating reliance on Google CDN.

Alternative Approach: Using a Plugin to Disable Google CDN in Elementor

For users who prefer not to modify code, several plugins can disable Google Fonts and CDN for Elementor. One recommended plugin is “Disable and Remove Google Fonts,” which disables Google Fonts across WordPress, including Elementor. Follow these steps to set it up:

1. Go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard.


2. Search for “Disable and Remove Google Fonts” and install the plugin.


3. Activate the plugin, and it will automatically disable Google Fonts across your site, including any loaded by Elementor.

This plugin provides a straightforward method to disable Google CDN in Elementor, especially for non-developers who want a quick solution.

Additional Tips for Optimizing Without Google CDN

After disabling Google CDN, you may notice slight changes in site performance, particularly in font load times. Here are some tips to keep your website optimized:

• Use a Caching Plugin: Plugins like WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, or Autoptimize help optimize site speed by caching resources. After disabling Google CDN, these plugins can store copies of your local assets, reducing load times.


• Enable a CDN for Local Assets: To retain the benefits of a CDN without Google, consider implementing a non-Google CDN, such as Cloudflare, for your site’s assets. This setup allows local fonts to be served efficiently across regions.


• Optimize Images and Other Assets: While fonts are a common reason for using Google CDN, don’t forget other aspects of site optimization. Compress images, use lazy loading, and minimize CSS and JavaScript files for improved performance.


• Test Load Times: Use tools like GTMetrix, Pingdom, or Google PageSpeed Insights to analyze your website’s load times before and after disabling Google CDN. Monitoring your site’s performance is essential to ensure that changes positively impact user experience.

Conclusion

Disable Google CDN in Elementor provides more control over data and resources, helps maintain privacy compliance, and can improve site load times in certain regions. While it does remove the convenience of automatic font loading from Google, local hosting of fonts and assets is a valuable trade-off for websites prioritizing privacy and control. By following the steps outlined above, you can take complete control of how fonts and other assets load, enhancing your website’s performance, privacy, and compliance with local regulations.