From Scary Stories to Job Postings. Hidden Content on Popular Websites
Without exaggeration, everyone who has written Javascript code at least once has used the built-in console.log function. To display a variable's value, the distance from a block to the top of the page, and in thousands of other cases, logging a result is the most requested Javascript function.
We all remember that the console is one of the browser's developer tools. In Chrome, this set of tools is called Developer Tools, in Firefox, they added a personal touch and called it Web Developer Tools, and we certainly remember the hotkeys that are the same in both browsers: Ctrl+Shift+I or even simpler, F12.
So, have you ever wondered if the console could be used somewhat differently, not just for displaying operational information, but for hidden communication with a site's visitors? With a very specific, niche category of visitors. Let's face it, few people outside of a coding environment would even think to look in the console.
Consequently, if you, as a website owner, are interested in developers as a target audience, then there is probably no better place than the console. I'm sure that the teams behind popular websites and services had a similar train of thought.
This isn't the first time I've encountered such messages in the console, but it is the first time I've decided to somehow systematize them and share them with you. So here we go…
Creepy people are messing with my mind
Perhaps lawyers, or perhaps just people who care about everything in the world and have a certain influence in certain circles, felt it necessary to inform us that we could harm ourselves if we don’t stop. Right now! Stop! Hands off the keyboard!
This is a browser feature intended for developers. If someone told you to copy-paste something here to enable a Facebook feature or "hack" someone's account, it is a scam and will give them access to your Facebook account.
Since 2016, Facebook has been scaring users with huge red letters that say STOP and a powerful message. Since then, the message hasn't changed, and even the page the link leads to no longer exists and redirects to Scam policies. Instagram has the same thing, which is quite natural.
Do not enter or paste code that you do not understand. Using this console may allow attackers to impersonate you and steal your information using an attack called Self-XSS
The Snapchat team went down the same path, changing STOP to WARNING and rewriting the text differently. Starting in 2023, since the web version of the app was introduced, we are met with an equally alarming message.
This browser feature is for developers only. Please do not copy-paste any code or run any scripts here. It may cause your PayPal account to be compromised
To my sincere surprise, in the second half of 2024, PayPal joined the group of Self-XSS attack popularizers. The essence is the same: a Warning with three exclamation points and a message for naive experimenters.
Why all this? Why wasn't this idea questioned? It’s obvious—it's the best possible advertisement for Self-XSS. A novice developer's inexperienced mind didn't even know an account could be "hacked" like that. After being given such an idea, who can stop them from a more in-depth study of the process, hoping to practice on their friends' accounts, to begin with? That's one way to use the console…
Promote me if you can
Download the Apollo DevTools for a better development experience
Honestly, I really liked this idea, but a question arises: are the website owners aware that their site's code is advertising third-party applications itself?
I've seen the same ad on several sites; I'll mention Indeed and Zillow, sites with millions of visits.
Although, I repeat, the idea is great. For a paid online solutions service, you could place a code for a small discount on a subscription. It would be a very pleasant surprise for whoever finds such a gift. Ahrefs, this idea is for you, by the way :)
HR would definitely use this if they knew
The most popular practice of using the console for hidden communication with visitors is job postings for programmers. This is not surprising, as the console as a place for open vacancies is quite unexpected and therefore more attractive to look at.
The careers section is often located outside the main menu, not infrequently in the footer, among a group of all sorts of extra links. This means a potential employee must consciously look for a job. But in a situation where they aren't looking for a job but wouldn't refuse a better offer, this approach works perfectly.
Is code your craft? https://careers.etsy.com
The most concise and crystal-clear job offer comes from Etsy.
We love JavaScript too - why not code and plant trees? Check out https://explore.ecosia.org/jobs
The next group of sites adds their logo in ASCII art to the announcement.
Ecosia with this offer.
NYTimes.com: All the code that's fit to window.print()! We're hiring: https://boards.greenhouse.io/ thenewyorktimes
New York Times with a logo in curly brackets (nice) and nice message. We are seeing a wonderful wordplay here. The main motto of the newspaper "All the News That's Fit to Print" is adapted for coders. The logo with the curly brackets and the rephrased slogan is a great move!
We're hiring! https://medium.com/jobs-at-medium/work-at-medium-959d1a85284e
And of course, Medium with their job post and an ad for the same add-on I mentioned above.
Hello fellow developers! Welcome to Tumblr. In the window property logged below, we have added some helpers we hope you will find useful when writing extensions. PS: We're hiring! https://www.tumblr.com/jobs
Next up is the Tumblr site with an entertaining message. The most interesting thing here is the two ASCII art memes randomly displayed in the console: one with Guy Fieri in a fiery shirt and the second with the M&M Dr. Phil meme. For those interested in working at Tumblr, I would recommend a deeper study of the deep mental connection between the Tumblr team and the aforementioned characters.
Fearlessness is the attitude of youth, and a passion for AI is the pulse of our times.
Our new students are fearlessly venturing into the vast ocean of Artificial General Intelligence!
As the main force leading the AI era, a broad stage awaits you to showcase your talents.
Ride the waves and forge ahead, for Baidu will be with you to create infinite possibilities.
Baidu 2026 Campus Recruitment: Resume Submission Link: https://talent.baidu.com/jobs/list
The most poetic thing I've seen in the console is a message from Baidu. Thanks to Gemini for helping me translate, I really appreciated this approach. Isn't that great?! I really like this message. I would definitely try to join this team.
To sum up
As you can see, the browser console can become your best HR assistant if your business needs coders. The simplest Javascript function + a brilliant message, and you'll have a stream of the right candidates. Of course, the main factor, as always, remains high traffic, which I wish for all of you!
