What is Google’s page experience update?

Google describes page experience as “a set of signals that measure how users perceive the experience of interacting with a web page beyond its pure information value.” The search engine giant has announced that it is now using page experience as part of its ranking system, as of June 2021. However, the roll out is going to be gradual and the full page experience won’t be in place until the Autumn. Given that any changes made by Google are always worth getting to grips with, what does this mean for businesses using Google as a tool?

Don’t expect to see big changes now

Google has been clear that the page experience update isn’t going to result in drastic changes. The fact that the shift is being gradually rolled out is designed to help avoid any big upheavals or spikes and to provide opportunities for any that do occur to be quickly mitigated. Most of the new features of Google’s page experience have already been previously trailed so there are no nasty surprises in there, which is likely to feel like good news for most users. So, what can we actually expect from Google’s page experience update?

What is the update?

It takes into account a number of the key signals that are used to create an optimal browsing experience for users.

What does that mean?

It means that Google looks at each of these signals and then collaborates a ‘page experience’ score for the website.

Where can you see the page experience score for your website?

This is available via Google Search Console.

What are the signals that need attention for a positive page experience score?

• Mobile usability. You can get a positive page experience score as long as there are no errors where mobile usability is concerned.
• HTTPS. The page must be served over HTTPS to achieve a good score for page experience.
• Security problems. This is a big one – if there are any pages on an entire website that have security problems then all the pages on the website will be disqualified and unable to achieve a positive page experience score.
• Ads. Google is focusing on the way that ads are experienced by the user here. So, a good page experience score can be achieved by avoiding ads and ad techniques that interrupt user experience, which are distracting or which are generally not going to be enjoyable for the person browsing the website.
• Core Web Vitals. These are the metrics that measure real-world user experience for loading performance, interactivity, and visual stability of the page. All will need to be in good shape to achieve a good score for page experience.
• It’s worth noting that the recent update will mean that AMP is now not going to be a necessity for pages to make it to the Top Stories carousel on Google. The search giant is generally increasing the use of non-AMP content, for example expanding it to Google news and removing the AMP badge icon in search results.

Google’s page experience update is already under way so it’s essential to understand what that means for your business website. To find out more about Iconic Digital’s award-winning website design services get in contact today on 020 7100 0726.