As an online marketer or a website owner, one of the most important goals is to rank high on Google search. It is widely known that the higher your website ranks, the more organic traffic you will get, and the more revenue you will make. However, as Google continues to roll out algorithm updates, ranking on Google is becoming increasingly difficult, especially if you are struggling to keep up with the latest updates.
Google’s algorithm updates aim to refine and improve search results, so users can find what they’re looking for quickly and easily. So, while these updates are beneficial for the user, they can be a nightmare for marketers and website owners who are struggling to rank high on Google. The latest update, which rolled out in May of 2021, known as the “Core Web Vitals Update,” is one such update that has caused quite the stir.
The Core Web Vitals Update focuses on user experience, and Google has introduced new metrics that it will be using to determine the quality of a website’s user experience. These new metrics are known as “Core Web Vitals,” and they include:
– Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): This measures how quickly your website’s largest piece of content loads. This could be an image or video, and Google is looking to see how quickly it loads, so users don’t have to wait for it.
– First Input Delay (FID): This measures the time between when a user interacts with an element on your website, and when the website responds. Google is looking for a site with a fast FID.
– Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): This measures the amount of visual instability users experience when they interact with a website. If a user has to wait for elements to stabilize before being able to interact, Google will consider this a negative experience.
While these metrics might sound complicated, they are essential to creating a good user experience. Websites that do well in these metrics will be rewarded with a higher ranking on Google, while those that don’t might drop in the rankings.
So, what can you do to keep up with the latest updates and improve your website’s user experience? Here are a few tips to help you get started:
1. Optimize your website’s speed: Google’s Core Web Vitals Update places significant importance on website speed, so make sure your website loads quickly.
2. Optimize images and videos: Large images and videos can slow down your website’s load speed, so make sure to compress and optimize them.
3. Use a mobile-responsive design: More and more users are accessing the internet from mobile devices, so make sure your website is mobile-friendly.
4. Optimize for FID: Make sure your website’s elements load and respond quickly so that your users can interact with your website with minimal waiting times.
5. Keep your website stable: Try and make sure your website’s elements don’t move around too much when loading, this can create a negative experience for users.
In conclusion, ranking high on Google is becoming increasingly challenging, especially with the introduction of new updates like the Core Web Vitals Update. However, by focusing on improving your website’s user experience, you can stay ahead of the curve, and continue to climb up the rankings. The key is to stay informed about the latest updates and adapt accordingly.