Page experience optimization in SEO involves making the user’s interaction with a web page as good as possible. According to Google, it is a set of signals that measure how users perceive the experience of interacting with a web page beyond its pure information value. This includes aspects like how fast a page loads, its mobile-friendliness, running on HTTPS, the presence of intrusive interstitials and how safe browsing is.
Core Web Vitals are a set of specific factors, part of Google’s page experience signals, that Google considers important in the overall ‘page experience’ of a user. They include Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) which measures loading performance, First Input Delay (FID) that quantifies interactivity, and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) gauging visual stability.
For instance, web users typically prefer webpages that load quickly and are interactive as soon as possible – hence the emphasis on metrics like LCP and FID. Simultaneously, sites should be visually stable to avoid content shifting unexpectedly (which can be frustrating for users), which is measured by CLS. Therefore, by improving these metrics, you can significantly enhance user experience.
Search Engine Journal suggests that optimizing for these Core Web Vitals metrics and thereby enhancing page experience can potentially lead to better search rankings. According to Google, they will consider page experience signals for ranking webpages in results.
However, while page experience is an important signal, Google will continue to prioritize pages with the most relevant information overall, even if some aspects of page experience are subpar. In its words, “While all of the components of page experience are important, we will prioritize pages with the best information overall, even if some aspects of page experience are subpar. A good page experience doesn’t override having great, relevant content.”
In conclusion, page experience optimization in SEO involves enhancing technical aspects, like speed and stability, and providing a seamless browsing experience. By focusing on key metrics – as defined by Core Web Vitals – you can optimize page experience to potentially improve your rankings, while providing value to your audience.
Sources:
1. “Meet Core Web Vitals on Google Developers Portal: https://web.dev/vitals/
2. Google’s update on Page Experience: https://developers.google.com/search/docs/advanced/experience/page-experience
3. What Google’s Page Experience Update Means for Your Website on Search Engine Journal: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/googles-page-experience-update-what-to-know/374415/
