In May 2021, Google is scheduled to launch a major update to its search algorithm. The update is centered on user experience and will include many invisible as well as visual changes.
This will inevitably have a big impact on SEO. Here is a breakdown of the update and its potential effects on SEO.
What Is the May 2021 Google Update?
In May 2021, the Google Update will incorporate ‘expected user experience’ into the search algorithm. The algorithm will measure user experience with ‘page experience signals’. Called the Google Page Experience Update, the launch of the update is scheduled for May 2021.
Included in the update will be a ‘visual indicator’ which will highlight search results that have a great page experience.
What is Page Experience?
It’s a measure of how a user will experience a specific web page. To objectively measure this, Google has outlined page experience signals like “Mobile Friendliness”, “Safe Browsing”, “HTTPS”, and “No Intrusive Interstitials”.
Aside from these indicators, there are also certain ‘Core Web Vitals’ which combine with these signals. Core Web Vitals basically break down how users interact with a web page and its various elements. In doing so, they more objectively measure the responsiveness and user-friendliness of the web page.
Core Web Vitals
Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): The time interval between when a page starts loading till the largest image or text block is fully rendered. This is a much more objective metric than ‘page loading times’. Ideal LCP is 2.5 seconds or faster.
First Input Delay (FID): The time a page takes to be ready for user input or interactivity. A page maybe fully rendered, but may not response to clicks. FID measures the time until the page is ready for input. This further breaks down the ‘page loading times’ metric. Ideal FID is less than 100 ms.
Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): While loading, and even after, certain web page elements continue to shift including images and text. This causes disruption and users can often click on the wrong page element. CLS measures the distance that these elements move within the reader’s/viewer’s viewport (portion of the page visible in the browser). Ideal CLS is less than 0.1
What Will the May 2021 Google Update Do for SEO?
The Google Page Experience Update will obviously mean that user experience will carry more weight in SEO optimization. The update will definitely shift a large amount of the burden from keyword research and localized keywords to webpage design.
Hence, bloggers, web hosting services, and web designers in general will have to ‘step up their game’. The right keywords, posting actionable content, and writing for niche users won’t cut it anymore. Designing a more pleasurable user experience and improving user interaction with a web page will be of greater importance.
This update won’t upset the established order or confine poorly designed website to the purgatory of page 2. However, this Google Update for SEO will effectively redefine what SEO means, in very objective terms.
