What to Know:
– Page speed is an important factor for SEO and can impact a website’s ranking on Google.
– Google has been using page speed as a ranking factor for desktop searches since 2010.
– In July 2018, Google announced that page speed would also be a ranking factor for mobile searches.
– The “Speed Update” only affects the slowest mobile sites and is a small percentage of queries.
– Google uses a variety of tools to measure page speed, including Chrome User Experience Report, Lighthouse, and PageSpeed Insights.
– Page speed is not the only ranking factor, and websites with high-quality content may still rank well even if they have slower page speeds.
– Improving page speed can lead to better user experience, higher conversion rates, and increased organic traffic.
The Full Story:
Page speed has long been recognized as an important factor for SEO, and Google has confirmed that it does factor page speed into its organic search algorithm. In fact, Google has been using page speed as a ranking factor for desktop searches since 2010. However, it wasn’t until July 2018 that Google announced that page speed would also be a ranking factor for mobile searches.
The “Speed Update” as it is called, only affects the slowest mobile sites and is a small percentage of queries. This means that even if a website has slower page speed, it may still rank well if it has high-quality content and meets other ranking criteria. However, it is still important to optimize page speed as it can have a significant impact on user experience, conversion rates, and organic traffic.
Google uses a variety of tools to measure page speed, including the Chrome User Experience Report, Lighthouse, and PageSpeed Insights. These tools provide insights into various aspects of page speed, such as the time it takes for a page to load, the time it takes for a page to become interactive, and the time it takes for a page to be visually complete.
Improving page speed can be done through various techniques, such as optimizing images, minifying CSS and JavaScript files, leveraging browser caching, and reducing server response time. By implementing these optimizations, websites can improve their page speed and provide a better user experience.
A faster page speed can lead to several benefits for a website. Firstly, it improves user experience by reducing the time it takes for a page to load and become interactive. This can result in lower bounce rates and higher engagement metrics, such as longer time on site and more page views per session.
Secondly, a faster page speed can lead to higher conversion rates. Studies have shown that even a one-second delay in page load time can result in a significant drop in conversion rates. By improving page speed, websites can provide a smoother and more seamless user experience, which can increase the likelihood of visitors converting into customers or taking desired actions.
Lastly, a faster page speed can also lead to increased organic traffic. Google has stated that page speed is a ranking factor, and websites with faster page speeds may have an advantage in search engine rankings. Higher rankings can result in more visibility and organic traffic to a website.
It is important to note that page speed is just one of many ranking factors that Google considers. Websites with slower page speeds can still rank well if they have high-quality content and meet other ranking criteria. However, optimizing page speed should still be a priority for website owners and SEO professionals, as it can have a significant impact on user experience, conversion rates, and organic traffic.
In conclusion, page speed is an important factor for SEO and can impact a website’s ranking on Google. Google has been using page speed as a ranking factor for desktop searches since 2010 and announced in 2018 that it would also be a ranking factor for mobile searches. While page speed is not the only ranking factor, it is still important to optimize page speed for better user experience, higher conversion rates, and increased organic traffic. By implementing various optimization techniques, websites can improve their page speed and reap the benefits of improved rankings and user engagement.
Original article: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/ranking-factors/page-speed/