Key SEO Trends to Watch in 2023: #10 Shaping Web Experience: A Deep Dive into Core Web Vitals

Hello everyone! In today's episode of "Key SEO Trends to Watch For 2023," we discuss "Shaping Web Experience: A Deep Dive into Core Web Vitals."

Google's commitment to refining web user experiences has never been a secret. Their primary aim? Making sure no user has to ditch a page due to an unsatisfactory experience. And to achieve this, Google's Page Experience Algorithm has been the backbone of this operation.?

However, a new cornerstone was laid in May 2021 when Google introduced Core Web Vitals to the SEO world. This introduction marked a new era in enhancing user experiences, and we're about to explore its impact. So, buckle up and let's dive deep into this transformation!

Core Web Vitals: The New Metrics for Page Experience?

Core Web Vitals integrates with pre-existing Page Experience signals - HTTPS, Intrusive Interstitial, Safe Browsing, and Mobile Friendliness - to determine page rankings. It's a trio of crucial page experience metrics providing Google with user experience data for individual web pages. The Three Core Web Vital Factors are:

1. Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)

2. First Input Delay (FID)

3. Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)

Back in May 2021, Google made a significant confirmation: Core Web Vitals had started to play a role in page rankings. By December of the same year, a further announcement was made to clarify that the impact of Core Web Vitals would mainly influence mobile search results.?

Adapting to the Changes: AMP and Web Vitals Compliance

For those who have activated Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP), there's reassuring news from Google. Given that their AMP pages typically align with Core Web Vitals standards and are hosted directly on Google's servers, these pages naturally have fewer elements that might delay load times. This eases their concerns about complying with Core Web Vitals. However, Google underscores the need to be wary of large images and other extensive external components within AMP, as these could adversely affect the web vitals scores.

It's crucial to understand that while Core Web Vitals are undoubtedly vital, they aren't the only factor determining SERP rankings. Google reiterates its dedication to ranking web pages abundant in content and links, even if they don't fully meet all Web Vitals criteria. In essence, by adopting AMP, many have proactively fine-tuned their sites for Web Vitals, saving both time and effort.

Concluding Thoughts

In conclusion, Core Web Vitals exemplify Google's continuous dedication to refining the user experience for professionals like you and me. Staying updated and tailoring our strategies to these shifts can offer us a distinct edge in the ever-changing realm of digital marketing and SEO.