In a major announcement on May 10th, 2023, Google unveiled a significant algorithm update aimed at improving the page experience for users. The update, which is set to roll out in mid-June 2023, will focus on three key areas: loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability. In this article, we’ll explore the details of the update and what it means for website owners and businesses.

The first area of focus for the update is loading speed. Google has long emphasized the importance of fast-loading websites, and the new update takes this to the next level. Websites that load quickly are more likely to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) and provide a better user experience. The update will use a new metric called “Largest Contentful Paint” (LCP) to measure loading speed, and websites that have an LCP of under 2.5 seconds will be deemed to provide a good user experience.

The second area of focus is interactivity. Google has found that users are more likely to engage with websites that are interactive and responsive. To measure interactivity, the update will use a metric called “First Input Delay” (FID), which measures how long it takes for a website to respond to user input. Websites that have an FID of under 100 milliseconds will be deemed to provide a good user experience.

The third and final area of focus is visual stability. This refers to the amount of unexpected layout shift that occurs when a website loads. Google has found that users are frustrated when a website layout shifts unexpectedly, such as when an image loads after the text. To measure visual stability, the update will use a metric called “Cumulative Layout Shift” (CLS), which measures the amount of unexpected layout shift that occurs during the loading process. Websites that have a CLS of under 0.1 will be deemed to provide a good user experience.

So, what does this mean for website owners and businesses? Essentially, the update emphasizes the importance of providing a good user experience on your website. Websites that are slow to load, unresponsive, or have unexpected layout shifts are likely to see a drop in their rankings in SERPs. On the other hand, websites that prioritize the page experience are likely to see a boost in their rankings and traffic.

In conclusion, the new algorithm update from Google is a significant change that emphasizes the importance of the page experience for users. Website owners and businesses should focus on improving loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability to provide the best possible user experience and stay ahead of the competition in SERPs.