Ready or Not, Google's Page Experience Algorithm Update Is Here

If your livelihood depends on the digital marketplace, chances are you have heard a bit about Google's upcoming Page Experience Algorithm Update.

The search engine giant offered uncharacteristic advance notice that a significant change was on the way and it will be rolled out by late June. Now, the crucial question is, are you ready for the update? If you are unsure about your answer, I can help.

What is the Google Page Experience Algorithm Update?

As the name suggests, the impending update will focus on the kind of experience consumers have whilst using a particular website. Google has a number of indicators they use to determine the experience of website users.

These indicators include:

1. Safe Browsing

You know that those who visit your site depend on you to ensure they are safe and their information protected.

The most common security issues are:

• Malware
• Social Engineering
• Hacked Content

Tip: Google’s security issues report is a valuable tool to help keep your site safe.

2. Optimised for Mobile Use

The days of debating the importance of website optimisation for mobile searches are over. Mobile search is the most frequently used method for searches worldwide.

Of the 81% of online searchers, 67% use mobile apps for their shopping. As mobile devices continue to become more sophisticated, this percentage will rise.

The consistently increasing use of mobile search is the reason Google adds mobile use optimisation to the list of factors influencing a customer's experience.

3. Eliminate Interstitials to the Best of Your Ability

An interstitial is an ad that pops up between web pages. These ads create frustrating delays for customers using your website. Additionally, interstitials prevent a smooth flow of web pages, which also mars your website’s customer experience.

4. Use HTTPS

Because security is crucial for customer trust, make sure your site is HTTPS. If your website is showing "http", and not "https", in the URL, you're being penalised by Google.

5. Core Web Vitals

A website’s Core Web Vitals are factors that have a significant influence over a user’s experience on a website. These are crucial elements in Google’s update, and we can look at them individually.

What are Core Web Vitals, and Why are They Important?

Your website’s Core Web Vitals are the aspects that play the most significant part in determining whether or not your site is successful in creating an excellent experience for customers.

The Core Web Values address the following website elements:

• Loading
• Interactivity
• Visual stability

At this time, there are three predominant Core Web Vitals. As time goes on, you should remember that these may change based on technology and other extraneous factors.

A Closer Look at the Core Web Vitals

1. Loading Performance - Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)

In plain English, the term means Google measures how quickly your site’s integral material loads. You can see how this facet would significantly impact the user experience on your web page. Most (if not all) technology users can relate to the experience of glaring at a screen waiting for the information to load fully.

A website’s LCP in seconds:

1. Good – 2.5 seconds or less
2. Needs Improvement – Between 2.6 and 3.9 seconds
3. Poor – Any render that takes 4.0 seconds or longer

2. Interactivity - First Input Delay (FID)

This looks at how much time goes by from the time your customer first interacts with your website to when the computer can respond to the user.

A website’s FID measure is in milliseconds:

1. Good – Under 100 milliseconds
2. Needs Improvement – Between 101-300 milliseconds
3. Poor – 301 milliseconds or more

3. Visual Stability - Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)

The CLS measures how often your website experiences unexpected layout changes as well as the overall steadiness from a visual standpoint.

Your site’s ideal CLS is as close to zero as possible:

1. Good – Under 0.1
2. Needs Improvement – Between 0.1-0.25
3. Poor – 0.26 or more

Tip: If you want to find out how your website measures up against Google’s updated algorithm, GTmetrix is an easy-to-use tool that shows you what parts of your site need improvement and where your site performs well.

Need Help?

Do you lack the personnel or the available time to make sure your site is ready for the Google Page Experience Algorithm Update?

I have spent 12+ years helping businesses just like yours keep up with Google’s frequently changing requirements. Feel free to contact me, and I’ll make sure you are ready for the impending update.