Google Page Experience Update Set To Launch In May 2021
In May 2021, Google is set to launch a new update to its search algorithm, which will change the way it factors in Page Experience elements into search results. News of the impending update first started circulating last year, with the launch originally scheduled for November 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Google decided to hold off on the launch so as not to place unnecessary pressure on companies during such a difficult time.
But, as they say, the show must go on and in a few short months the new update will be upon us.
You’re probably wondering why you should care about the page experience update? What impact will it have on your website?
The new update may well have quite a big impact on how well your website ranks in Google Search. Which will affect how easy it is for your customers to find you when searching online.
The Google Page Experience Update
Page experience is a new ranking signal that will help to measure the user experience of individual web pages. It combines all of Google’s UX-related ranking signals (including Core Web Vitals) into a single calculation to provide a holistic ranking signal.
What Google is saying with this new update is that user experience, alongside content quality, is one of the most important factors in search rankings.
Page experience is made up of the following ranking signals:
- Mobile Friendly
- Safe browsing
- Https
- Intrusive interstitials
It also includes the new Core Web Vitals recently introduced by Google:
- Loading times (LCP)
- Interactivity (FID)
- Visual Stability (CLS)
What Does This Mean?
If you’re not well-versed in SEO terms, then we understand this might all sound a bit like gibberish to you. But it’s actually really important to understand how Google will go about indexing and ranking your site in future.
The most important thing to note is that the algorithm will still prioritise quality content over everything else. So, regardless of the above you should make sure your website is filled with relevant, interesting, engaging, high value content.
However, in cases where there are multiple pages with similar content, page experience will become more important than ever for visibility in Search. This means that your website should also be:
- Easy to use on a mobile device or a tablet
- Free from security issues, malware, deceptive pages, harmful downloads, etc.
- Secured with HTTPS encryption
- Clear of intrusive pop ups
- Quick to load (no longer than 2.5 seconds)
- Highly responsive
- Stable
What Next?
It’s clear from this update that page experience is going to play a big part in SEO from now on. What’s so great about Google’s pending update is that they have provided a roadmap, along with clear benchmarks, to help you understand what needs to be achieved to get websites ranking high in Search.
So, now you’re armed with this information, what’s next?
If you feel like your website needs a little TLC in light of the coming update, our SEO services are on hand to put you one step ahead of your competition. We can help you to improve your site content in a way that pleases the Google Search algorithm, and work to improve your site’s user experience in line with Google’s expectations.
To get started, please get in touch with us today to speak with one of our dedicated Account Managers who will be able to explain in more depth the services we provide and how we can help you fully realise the potential of your site.