If you haven’t finished (or even started) preparing your site for Google’s page experience algorithm update next month, you have a short reprieve during which to get your search engine optimization (SEO) in order. Google has pushed the May 2021 launch back so that it starts in mid-June and doesn’t completely finish rolling out until August.
In Google’s words, the delay is to “monitor for any unexpected or unintended issues.” Either Google is hoping to temper the impact of their page experience algorithm update, or perhaps they’re not able to predict accurately enough what the results will be once they release it into the wild.
Interestingly, though, Google has said not to expect major changes in organic search performance in the post-page experience algorithm era. These ranking signals will be just one part of a much larger pool of ranking signals in Google’s organic search algorithm.
What Is the Page Experience Algorithm Update?
The page experience algorithm update focuses on core web vitals, ranking pages organically using loading, interactivity, and visual stability signals. These aspects of how a page loads impact searchers’ experience when they visit a page from Google’s search results. Because searchers often associate poor experiences on destination pages with Google’s search results, Google is working that experience into its algorithm.
These three signals join the existing user experience signals of mobile-friendliness, safe browsing, security, and user-friendly ad experience, as shown below.
To learn more about Google’s page experience algorithm update, please read our post, “The Core Web Vitals Ranking Signal Is Coming, Is Your Site Ready?” Just remember that the algorithm’s new launch date is mid-June, not May as this older article states.
Thanks to the delay in the launch of the page experience algorithm update, you have extra time to improve your user experience before Google’s algorithm update launches. Second chances don’t come around often. Don’t let this one slip away.
