Last May, Google announced a new algorithm update that focuses on webpage experience. The new ranking signal looks at the quality of your website’s user experience. But what does...
Last May, Google announced a new algorithm update that focuses on webpage experience. The new ranking signal looks at the quality of your website’s user experience. But what does this mean?
Page Experience has factors that’ll help Google in assessing web page UX, including Core Web Vitals metrics. Along with existing ranking factors, these signals can make or break your search performance.
Google initially scheduled a roll-out of the Page Experience update this May. However, the search giant has announced that the roll-out will start in mid-June. This recent development gives you more time to prepare, and now is a great time to start.
Here’s what you can expect from the new Google ranking algorithm update.
Page Experience comes with new sub-signals and changes to Google News. Let’s take a look at these anticipated changes.
Reference from Google Search Central
Like the current Google ranking factors, Page Experience has several sub-signals under it. These factors help the search engine see if your website is delivering good UX.
The Page Experience signal covers the following aspects:
Reference from Google WebDev
Page Experience also covers Google’s Core Web Vitals. These metrics see how your users respond to your page’s loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability. Each Web Vitals signal has a target threshold that websites should hit for better rankings.
Core Web Vitals metrics under the Page Experience signal include the following:
Google will also change how its Top Stories carousel and News service deliver news content. You can expect the following updates during the Page Experience roll-out:
Screenshot from Google Search Console
In line with the Page Experience update, Google has added a related report to its Search Console tool. The new Page Experience report includes the Core Web Vitals report and metrics for page experience sub-signals. Essential metrics in this report include:
Google Search Console also gave its Search Performance report an overhaul. In this update, you can filter pages with a good UX. The option lets you see how those pages are performing on Google Search versus your website’s other pages.
Signed exchanges (SXG) is another key update that Google announced along with Page Experience. This technology was previously exclusive to AMP content, but the company has now extended SXG support to all web pages.
Signed exchanges help fix issues in using AMP and distributing content over the AMP Cache URL. The technology creates portable content that third-party websites can deliver, with full attribution.
SXG involves prefetching content in compatible browsers. Thanks to this technique, Google Search can show a website’s key resources to users before they can browse the page. In turn, websites can deliver a better page experience.
Using SXG isn’t necessary, but it can be an option for websites that want to improve their page experience. Take Japanese publication Nikkei, for example. With SXG technology, the publisher’s Style website saw the following results:
Google has provided instructions for setting up SXG on their WebDev page. Do keep in mind that the guide applies to implementing the technology with the Web Packager tool. Web Packager lets you create SXGs or servers for the process. But if you want to use another tool for SXG, Google recommends the options below:
Through the Page Experience update, Google will put websites with good UX in the spotlight. But the company has clarified that page experience is still a part of how they rank websites. Good content is as important as good site UX, and it’s something you should also focus on. The same goes for your website’s technical elements. When you improve these aspects, the rewards will follow.
Working with SEO specialists can help you boost your website’s performance. These experts will find key areas of improvement on your website and deliver optimal enhancements. With the right SEO strategy, you can move up the search ladder and, hopefully, take the top spot.
Stay on top of Google Search changes with a robust game plan. Get in touch with Growth Rocket today.
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