Page experience refers to a set of signals that measure how users perceive the experience of interacting with a web page beyond its pure informational value. It includes aspects like page load times, mobile-friendliness, interactivity, and the stability of content as it loads (preventing unexpected layout shifts).
Components:
The following components are critical to evaluating and enhancing the page experience for visitors, ensuring a website is not only user-friendly but also meets modern web standards for performance and safety. Let’s delve into these key components that play a vital role in the creation of an optimal page experience:
- Core Web Vitals – A subset of Page Experience metrics that specifically includes Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), measuring loading performance; First Input Delay (FID), measuring interactivity; and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS), measuring visual stability.
- Mobile friendliness – This aspect evaluates how well a webpage functions on mobile devices. It considers the usability of the page on a smaller screen, including readable text without zooming, adequate space for tap targets, and avoidance of software not common on mobile devices like Flash.
- Safe browsing – A page experience signal that ensures the webpage does not contain malicious or deceptive content, such as malware, phishing, or other harmful software.
- HTTPS – This component examines whether a page is served over a secure HTTPS connection, encrypting data and providing a secure experience for users.
- No intrusive interstitials – A measure of how accessible the content is for users, ensuring that the webpage does not have pop-ups or other features that significantly obstruct the view of the main content.
Implementation tips:
By being proactive in these areas, you can contribute to a seamless, secure, and user-friendly website that not only satisfies visitors but also aligns with search engines’ expectations for quality. Below are some practical strategies to enhance your website’s performance and security:
- Regularly monitor the Core Web Vitals report in Google Search Console to identify areas for improvement.
- Ensure mobile responsiveness by using responsive design techniques and regularly testing the site on various devices and screen sizes.
- Implement HTTPS across all webpages if it hasn’t already been done to secure the site and user data.
- Remove or minimize the use of any interstitials that hinder user access to content, especially those that cover significant portions of the screen.
- Use Google’s Safe Browsing tools to check for any security issues and resolve them promptly.
Impact on SEO:
Page Experience is a ranking factor in Google’s search algorithm. Optimizing these elements can contribute to better rankings in search results, as Google aims to prioritize pages that offer the best overall experience for users. Webmasters should focus on delivering the highest quality user experience, not only for the benefit of search engine rankings but also to engage and retain users effectively.