Google ranking factors aren't 100% known. However, it's known that dozens, if not hundreds, of minor and major changes influence a page's ranking . Page loading speed and performance are certainly among them. Therefore, it's crucial to monitor PageSpeed Insights. Does it actually affect a page's ranking? We explain.
Google PageSpeed Insights – what is it?
PageSpeed is a Google tool that measures page load speed (though this is only a simplified definition). The result depends, among other things, on the website's design and optimization. Oversized graphic files, unnecessary plugins, malware, and other unwanted elements can affect a page's loading speed and, therefore, its usability.
It's no surprise that users prefer fast-loading sites. If your site performs poorly in PageSpeed Insights, the risk of domain abandonment increases significantly!
PageSpeed Insights also lets you assess your website's performance. Simply enter a URL to see how long it takes to fully load and get insights into where improvements can be made. The app assigns a score to your website on a scale of 0 to 100 (with 100 being the best).
(The rest of the article can be found below the form)
It also includes a checklist outlining how to optimize your website and improve its performance. Importantly, the tool displays performance on both desktop and mobile devices. Speed Insights results are accurate thanks to the use of two types of data:
- TZW. laboratory data obtained using the Lighthouse tool,
- data from actual visits obtained using the CrUX mechanism (Chrome User Experience Report).
This makes PageSpeed Insight's test results truly reliable. Based on the monitored metrics and data collected, you can plan your website's optimization.
How does Page Speed Insights calculate a website's score?
How exactly does the Google Insights algorithm work? The score is composed of six components:
- First Contentful Paint (FCP) – the result of this part is calculated based on the time it took the tested part website rendering any part of the page content on the screen; this accounts for 15% of the rating,
- Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) – this is an indicator that depends on the time it takes for the website to generate the largest block of text or image on the tested page; this time is measured from the appearance of the first element (FCP) and is responsible for as much as 25% of the overall website result,
- Total Blocking Time (TBT) – this is another factor responsible for as much as ¼ of the final result; it is the total blocking time, i.e. an indicator reflecting the responsiveness of the website to user actions; it sums up the time between FCP and website interactivity, taking into account only those actions that block the possibility of interaction with the website for more than 50 ms,
- Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) – measures the visual stability of a website; a score exceeding the acceptable threshold translates into the so-called content skipping while browsing the page; this factor accounts for only 5% of the overall score, but is of great importance for UX, czyli usability and convenience of using the website from the user's point of view,
- Time To Interactive (TTI) – accounts for 15% of the final score; in simple terms, it is determined based on how long it takes the website to become fully interactive,
- Speed Index (SI) – measures the speed of displaying individual elements of a website's content as it loads.
The maximum score is 100 points, which is achievable on a site with no major errors. Each indicator influences the final score logarithmically. This means that improving the score by one point becomes more difficult the closer it is to 100.
It's worth noting that a 50-point score indicates a website's performance when all metrics are at or below the acceptable limit. Therefore, access speed at this level strongly suggests improvement.
Does PageSpeed Insights score affect my Google ranking?
The debate over whether Google PageSpeed Insights scores affect a website's ranking in Google has been ongoing for years. In the past, there were doubts about this. However, today, it's safe to say that these two areas are interconnected.
It's important to note, however, that a PageSpeed Insights score doesn't directly translate to a website's position. This means that improving it, for example, from 70 to 100 won't immediately boost your site's ranking by a specific number of points, and your bounce rate will drop dramatically.
The metrics examined by this tool are also used by Google's crawlers to determine rankings . Page speed and website performance are features included in Google's official recommendations, so their impact on a website's ranking is no secret. It's worth using Google's PageSpeed test to gain valuable insight into your website's performance and identify which factors require improvement.
What PageSpeed score is considered good?
Unfortunately, it's impossible to say that a specific PageSpeed Insights score directly translates to a website's position . There are many ranking factors involved. However, any improvement in this area should yield results – if not in terms of increased visibility, then certainly in terms of improved user experience.
Achieving the maximum score suggests that your site is well-optimized and doesn't require drastic changes , just maintenance. It also provides a competitive advantage that can help you gain more organic traffic, generate additional clicks, and increase user engagement.
Why analyze your website with Google PageSpeed Insights?
Website performance is a key factor in user experience evaluation . Experts estimate that it impacts user experience by up to 75%. Furthermore, performance is far more important than user experience and design.
The clear conclusion is that users expect fast websites that don't make them wait for the desired content to appear, especially on mobile devices. Every second of waiting increases the risk that a user will leave the site and likely never return.
Therefore, Google PageSpeed Insights results have a significant impact on your website's remediation program. It's worth considering them as a collection of extremely useful information and optimizing your website if the tool indicates such a need. Its strength lies in the accuracy of both its analysis and the presentation of results, making them reliable.
Frequently asked questions about Google Page Speed Insights
Google PageSpeed Insights is a free tool from Google that analyzes the performance and loading speed of websites on both mobile and desktop devices. After entering a URL, the system generates a technical report and assigns the page an overall score on a scale of 0 to 100.
Not directly. While it may sound surprising, Google's algorithm doesn't consider the "number" (score) from the report itself as a direct ranking factor. The score is so-called laboratory data (estimated), calculated in a controlled environment. Real-world user experiences are crucial for the ranking itself.
The real ranking factor is Core Web Vitals, which are based on real data from users visiting your site (so-called field data/CrUX report). Google evaluates the real load time of key page elements, visual stability (whether text "jumps" while loading), and the site's click-to-click response time.
While the score itself doesn't rank a website, the PSI report serves as an invaluable roadmap for developers and SEO specialists. This tool pinpoints specific technical errors (e.g., overly large images, unnecessary JS scripts), which, when corrected, directly translate into improved Core Web Vitals, which in turn have a direct impact on SEO.
Website speed is the foundation of a good UX (user experience). A slow-loading website drastically increases bounce rates – impatient users simply close the tab and move on to the competition. Speed optimization not only helps with SEO but, above all, retains customers on your site and increases sales.
Summary
The above article covers the following topics:
- A website's speed and performance, measured by PageSpeed Insights, are key factors influencing its position in Google search results.
- Google PageSpeed Insights is a free tool from Google that analyzes the performance and loading speed of websites on desktop and mobile devices, giving them a score from 0 to 100 and pointing out specific errors that need to be fixed.
- The PageSpeed Insights score is a weighted average of six performance metrics (FCP, LCP, TBT, CLS, TTI, SI), calculated logarithmically, making each point more difficult to obtain as you approach the maximum score of 100.
- While PageSpeed Insights doesn't directly translate to a ranking increase, the tool analyzes key speed and performance metrics that Google officially considers as important ranking factors that impact a page's visibility.
- While a specific score doesn't guarantee a higher position, striving for the highest possible score provides a competitive advantage and a better user experience, which indirectly supports a website's visibility on Google.
- PageSpeed Insights analysis provides precise guidelines for website optimization, which is crucial because performance is responsible for most positive user experiences (UX) and drastically reduces the risk of visitors leaving your site.
