Google is updating its guidance on creating helpful content by adding a section dedicated to page experience.
The update aims to help site owners consider page experience more holistically during the content creation process.
Google has announced that it is updating its guidance on creating helpful content by adding a section dedicated to page experience. This update aims to help site owners consider page experience more holistically during the content creation process.
Page experience refers to the overall experience that a user has when visiting a website. This includes factors such as page speed, mobile-friendliness, and the use of intrusive pop-ups or ads. Google has previously stated that page experience is a ranking factor, meaning that sites that provide a better experience for users are more likely to rank higher in search results.
In the updated guidance, Google emphasizes the importance of page experience and provides tips on how to create content that takes it into account. The guidance highlights several key areas that site owners should focus on, including mobile-friendliness, safe browsing, HTTPS security, and the use of intrusive interstitials (pop-ups).
One of the key takeaways from the guidance is that site owners should aim to create content that is both helpful and easy to use. This means designing pages that are mobile-friendly and load quickly, while also avoiding the use of intrusive pop-ups or ads that can disrupt the user experience.
Google also provides several tools and resources to help site owners improve their page experience. These include the PageSpeed Insights tool, which analyzes a site’s performance and provides recommendations on how to improve page speed, and the Mobile-Friendly Test, which helps site owners ensure that their pages are optimized for mobile devices.
Overall, the updated guidance on page experience is a welcome addition for site owners looking to improve their website’s performance in search results. By emphasizing the importance of providing a positive user experience, Google is encouraging site owners to create content that is both helpful and easy to use, which can ultimately benefit both users and site owners alike.
What’s New?
Google’s help page on creating helpful content has been revamped with a new section on providing an excellent page experience.
This change helps to clarify the importance of page experience for those looking to succeed in Google Search.
Although no major new aspects have been introduced, the update streamlines existing guidance.
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Google reminds publishers that Core Web Vitals remain crucial for page experience success, as they have in the past.
A revised help page titled “Understanding page experience in Google Search results” provides more in-depth information on the role of page experience, along with self-assessment questions and resources.
This page consolidates key aspects of page experience that Google has discussed in recent years.
Upcoming Changes To Search Console Reports
In the coming months, the Page Experience report within Search Console will be transformed into a new page that links to general guidance about page experience and a dashboard view of the individual Core Web Vitals and HTTPS reports that will remain in Search Console.
Additionally, starting December 1, 2023, Google will retire Search Console’s “Mobile Usability” report, the Mobile-Friendly Test tool, and the Mobile-Friendly Test API.
Google assures that mobile usability remains critical to page experience guidance, and site owners should continue to prioritize it.
FAQ Highlights
Google addresses several frequently asked questions about the updated guidance, emphasizing the following points:
- No single “page experience signal” is used for ranking in Google Search, as multiple signals related to overall page experience are considered.
- Core Web Vitals remain essential for search success and great user experience.
- Good page experience is not an eligibility requirement to appear in the “Top Stories” carousel on mobile.
- Page experience is generally evaluated on a page-specific basis, although some site-wide assessments do exist.
- The helpful content system primarily focuses on content-related signals, but page experience factors contribute somewhat.
Additional Considerations
Google’s automated ranking systems prioritize helpful, reliable content created for people rather than search engine rankings.
To ensure your content aligns with these principles, self-assess it and get it evaluated by trusted, unaffiliated individuals.
Focus on the quality and expertise demonstrated in your content, and aim to provide a great page experience.
Adopt a people-first approach when creating content by targeting an audience, demonstrating expertise, and ensuring the content is valuable and satisfying.
Avoid search engine-first content by refraining from producing content solely to attract search engine visits or manipulate rankings.
Familiarize yourself with the concepts of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) and utilize the quality rater guidelines to improve your content further.
Finally, consider the “Who, How, and Why.”
Indicate who wrote the content and details on how it was produced. Above all, create content with the primary goal of helping people.
By following these guidelines, your content will better align with Google’s core ranking systems and have a greater chance of success.
