Not only is summer coming, but also new Core Web Vitals updates! Google is launching a new Google Page Experience Update. This year, in the middle of June, a new ranking factor will come into effect that is focused on improving the user experience. Google Core Web Vitals will come into full force a month later that is, in August 2021.
What are Web Сore Vitals?
What criteria will Google consider?
How to prepare your website for Google's Core Web Vitals Update?
And many more important questions you may have about the new Google Algorithm June Update.
Today our website development services company will give a full review of the Core Web Vitals Update 2021. Read on to find out how to develop the site to match the upcoming "Page Experience" algorithm.
What are Google's Core Web Vitals?
Core Web Vitals is a mix of the major metrics used by Google to rank pages. They check the site for usability, loading speed, visual stability, and information relevance. All Core Web Vitals work to ensure that the user gets the best and the most relevant results when searching on the Internet.
Core Web Vitals metrics
Previously, Core Web Vitals were considered recommendations. Today they are an important Ranking Factor.
Largest Contentful Paint (LCS)
LCS measures how long it takes for your page to load after the first user`s click.
This element can be text, photo, video thumbnails, or any other element. This only covers items that are displayed on the screen without scrolling.
Good - less than 2.5 sec
Need to be improved - between 2.5 sec and 4.0 sec
Bad - more than 4.0 sec
You can read more about the largest contentful paint in the previous blog post.
First Input Delay (FID)
First Input Delay (FID) measures how long it takes for your page to become interactive. The lower the FID score, the better it is for you and your site visitors.
Good - less than 100 milliseconds
Need to be improved - between 100 milliseconds and 300 milliseconds
Bad - more than 300 milliseconds
Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)
Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) measures the visual stability of your page and content shifting.
This metric is different from the previous ones. It shows how much your content is shifted when various pop ups, advertisements or something else jumps on top of it.
Good - less than 0.1
Need to be improved - between 0.1 and 0.25
Bad - more than 0.25
You can read more about cumulative layout shift in Drudesk’s blog on the subject.
Other elements that affect Search Signals for Page Experience
In addition to the three main metrics, there are four others:
HTTPS
To rank well with search engines, your page must be reliable and have an HTTPS certificate (that is, a symbol lock in the address bar.) What is SSL? It was well covered by the Drudesk website maintenance agency.
Mobile-friendly
Google encourages sites to load correctly on mobile without losing the user experience. So make your google mobile-friendly website today.
Security issues
Your site will have a "good status" and rank only if it does not contain viruses, phishing schemes, or other dangerous files.
No intrusive interstitials
Google punishes sites with intrusive ads that interfere with access to content and a good user experience.
Are Core Web Vitals important?
Core Web Vitals are not just important, they are super important — your site depends on them.
Google singled them out in order to create a level playing field for all site owners. Those who are constantly working to improve their site will be rewarded by Google with the higher position in the search results, and therefore by a large number of customers. But if your site has poor performance in these metrics, then Google will punish you with a low ranking.
If you have problems with Core Web Vitals, then web developers can fix all errors.
Do Core Web Vitals affect ranking?
Of course, Core Web Vitals affect ranking. Both Google and users want a pleasant Page Experience. This means that the pages should load quickly, be easy to interact with, and be safe and mobile-friendly. Optimizing your website under Google Page Experience Update.
What are the latest updates in Google search algorithm?
Back in November 2020, Google shared information about changes in the page experience ranking. What is the latest Google algorithm update?
The changes will take effect gradually, starting from mid-June to the end of August.
Page experience will become a part of new ranking systems.
Top Stories carousel features will be refreshed, and it will include all news.
AMP format is no longer required, and even pages that do not have AMP will be able to appear in the Stories carousel.
There are also updates to the Google News app, as Google is expanding the use of non-AMP content.
The AMP badge icon will disappear.
Search Console will display a new report - Page Experience. It will detail the detailed insights that your Core Web Vitals page matches with the other elements that affect Search Signals that we described above.
The Search Performance report will be updated. You should now be able to filter out pages with a good page experience.
SXG on Google Search is made available to all web pages, not just those built with the AMP.
These Google Algorithm Updates start in June 2021.
How do I test Google Core Web Vitals?
No matter what you do, your site needs to be constantly updated. Now is the perfect time to prepare for this Google Algorithm Update. For technical specialists, this task is not difficult. But for those who are not web specialists, this is intimidating, because it requires a little deeper knowledge.
Today, the InternetDevels Drupal development company shared our knowledge on how to check if your website is working well for Core Web Vitals elements. It is recommended to use these tools to check readiness for new changes in Ranking Factor.
Search Console
Google Search Console tool is the first place to see if your page is suitable for a new Core Web Vitals and what is wrong with it. It will show you which pages need changes and optimization.
PageSpeed Insights
PageSpeed Insights tool that does a comprehensive study of your page and gives suggestions on improving each of the Core Web Vitals metrics.
Chrome DevTools
Chrome DevTools is handy for checking Cumulative Layout Shift metrics. It specializes in complete CLS analysis.
Lighthouse
Lighthouse tool is helpful to get a detailed report on each of the Core Web Vitals and see which URLs need improvements and for which metrics.
Prepare Your Website for the Core Web Vitals Update!
From all of the above, you need to remember the most important thing — the website user experience is now at the top of ranking factors.
To check your site against all major Core Web Vitals, you should use one of the recommended vitals.
If you find a problem or know that one exists, do not hesitate to fix them — there is not much time left. Site developers and the SEO team should do everything they can to give you the best experience.