How The New Core Web Vitals Reporting In Search Console Will Pave The Way For Algorithm Changes
In recent months, Google has been pushing out several algorithm updates that all pertain to content in one way or another.
Google isn’t done yet, we see them making more changes to how the search engine ranks web pages in organic results. While on-page content is a key factor in how the search giant determines which pages get the prime positions in search results, user experience (UX) is starting to gain notice in these updates.
The next big algorithm update will more than likely address UX. How do we know? Google said so.
Typically there is no warning when they push an update through. We figure it out by looking at SEO tools, or in some cases, a frantic call about a website that disappeared from search results from a person who was referred to us by a client. On most occasions, it’s the reporting that signals us because we look at it daily.
2 Major Core & Other Algorithm Updates in 2020
So far, it’s been confirmed that Google has done two major core algorithm updates this year. There’s also been several other updates that Google released this year which addressed some niche issues. The latter is normal as it shuffles the results around a bit while they try to find the best related matches to keyword queries. The core updates, not so much. You only see a core update every so often, not almost back to back.
It makes us wonder if something wasn’t quite right with the January 2020 update or if Covid-19 resulted in the decision to make additional changes to how web pages are ranked. There could have been a shift in the way people were using the search engine to find information, services and products while in lock-down. This may have given the search engine needed data to fine tune which websites and pages meet Google’s EAT strategy for content.
With content being the main focus for so long, we can understand why Google will add user experience into the equation.
Google Search Console Core Web Vitals Will Factor Into Search Rankings
A few weeks ago we wrote an article about Core Web Vitals. What are they? You’ll want to read this – “How Google’s Core Web Vitals Will Measure User-Experience (UX)“.
The short explanation, new metrics Google will use to determine the quality of your website and its page. It’ll then use this data to rank you against similar websites in organic search results.
Core Web Vitals measure loading time, interactivity and visual stability. These three new data points will used to determine the UX quality of a website.
User Experience Will Be Evaluated In Upcoming Core Algorithm Updates
Discussions taking place in SEO communities and groups online is that Google will begin to pull down pages it thinks will deliver a poor experience to users.
The way UX is calculated is by looking at your website’s page load speed, use of full-screen ad banners (interstitial ads) and SSL certificate aka https:// secure connection.
How To Quickly Audit and Evaluate Your Website
We use the tools Google provides us to diagnose site issues however, not all websites will have the Core Web Vitals data available in their Search Console reporting. Reason being, if you have a small business website that doesn’t get enough qualifying traffic, Google can’t give you the insight reporting it does for larger websites.
If this is the case, we also like to use SEMRush to scan websites. By running your website through the Site Audit tool and also the On-Page SEO Checker, it’s easy to pinpoint which areas of your website need to be addressed. SEMRush doesn’t provide the Core Web Vitals reporting like Google does but it can pinpoint other technical issues that could hinder your website from showing up in organic results.
If you don’t want to pay for a service, you can also try Google’s PageSpeed Insights test which is free to use.