Cloudflare has announced an update to the enforcement order of its Gateway policies, rolling out progressively between July 14th and July 18th, 2025. The email from the Cloudflare Gateway Product Team explains that while this update will not weaken your security posture or change the traffic filtered by your policies, it does require a review of your configuration—particularly if you have HTTP policies in place.

In the current model, Cloudflare Gateway evaluates DNS, then HTTP, and finally Network (Layer 4 Firewall) policies. After the update, the order will change to evaluate DNS first, followed by Network policies, and then HTTP policies. For example, if you have an HTTP policy that shows a block page for a “SaaS application” and a corresponding Network policy that silently blocks traffic, under the new order the Network policy is applied first, and users will no longer see the block page unless you add a client notification to the Network policy.

Source: Email from Cloudflare Gateway Product Team, 2025

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Developer Impact (DEV)

Policy Evaluation and Troubleshooting

• Revised Order of Enforcement:
  
  With the new order, Network policies are applied before HTTP policies. This change means that if your application logic relies on HTTP-induced block pages or client notifications, you may need to update your policies. For example, if you rely on a block page to inform users of restricted access to a resource, you should consider configuring a client notification directly on the Network policy to maintain that user experience.

• Simplified Policy Flows:
  
  The new enforcement order is more intuitive—aligning closer to developers’ expectations by verifying the network path before processing application-level details. This approach can lessen error rates (such as the marginal reduction in TLS decryption-related 526 errors) and streamline troubleshooting efforts as policies follow a more predictable structure.

Source: Cloudflare Zero Trust Docs ¹, Cloudflare Email Update

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SEO Impact

Maintaining Site Performance

• Minimal Latency Impact:
  
  Cloudflare’s global infrastructure ensures that the evaluation of policies, despite the changed order, continues to be highly optimized. As long as the policies are designed efficiently (for instance, by using “Do Not Inspect” rules for trusted flows), the additional checks from the new order will not materially affect page load times—an essential factor for SEO rankings.

• User Experience Considerations:
  
  The visible block pages or client notifications may change with the new order if the block is applied at the network level instead of the HTTP level. While this does not affect the speed directly, it could alter how visitors perceive the blocking mechanism if they expect a specific message during access denial. Ensuring that notifications are set appropriately on the Network policies will help maintain clarity and consistency for users and indirectly support SEO by preserving a smooth user experience.

Source: Cloudflare Zero Trust Docs ¹, Cloudflare Email Update

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Best Practices for Both DEV & SEO

1. Policy Review & Adjustment:

   • Before July 14th, 2025: Conduct a thorough review of your existing HTTP and Network policies. Ensure that your desired block notifications are configured correctly—if you want users to see a block page, either add a client notification to your Network policy or adjust the policies to favor HTTP-level notifications.

2. Monitor Performance Continuously:

   • Test and Compare: Measure your site’s performance before and after the change. Continuous monitoring will enable you to quickly identify if any configuration impacts are influencing load times, and adjustments can be made to keep performance optimal.

3. Optimize Policy Configurations:

   • Leverage “Do Not Inspect” for Trusted Traffic: By designating specific flows for lighter inspections, you can optimize response times while still maintaining robust security. This balance is crucial to ensure that your site remains fast for SEO while keeping developers’ configurations straightforward.

4. Documentation and Communication:

   • Stay Informed: Keep an eye on Cloudflare’s updated documentation and communications. The documentation provides detailed guidance on the new enforcement order logic, and the update email outlines user-specific scenarios and recommended actions.

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Conclusion

The upcoming enforcement order change in Cloudflare Gateway policies is a proactive step toward a more intuitive and error-resistant system. For developers, it means revisiting policy configurations to preserve the user experience, especially concerning block notifications. For SEO, it guarantees that performance remains a priority, as the global Cloudflare infrastructure and optimized rule evaluation keep your site responsive. By reviewing and fine-tuning your policies ahead of the roll-out, you can ensure that both your security posture and your site's SEO remain robust.

For more in-depth coverage, refer to the Cloudflare Zero Trust Docs and revisit the detailed email guidance from your Cloudflare Gateway Product Team.

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1. Order of enforcement – Cloudflare Zero Trust Docs. ↩