Google Speed Update – July 9, 2018

Welcome to the fast lane of the digital world! If you thought speed limits only existed on the highway, think again! Google has officially put the pedal to the metal with their Google Speed Update, which took effect on July 9, 2018. This update isn’t just a friendly reminder for websites to speed up; it’s a wake-up call for site owners to ensure they’re not left in the dust. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep your website running at breakneck speeds while meeting Google’s whims, you’re in the right place!

What in the World is the Google Speed Update?

The Google Speed Update is a **search ranking algorithm** adjustment focusing on the **loading speed** of mobile pages. Oh, don’t roll your eyes! Yes, we know site speed has been a topic of many a late-night SEO chat, but this update explicitly adds page speed as a ranking factor. If your site was rather leisurely in its loading, it might have just trudged its way down the search results. So, if you want Google to find you before your competitor, you better hit that virtual gym!

Why Speed Matters More Than Ever

Imagine this: you’re waiting for your friend to show up. You check your watch, check your phone, and maybe even consider ordering takeout while you wait. Now, let’s apply this scenario to your website visitors. If your site takes too long to load, your viewers will be looking elsewhere – just like your friend who decided to take a longer route to avoid traffic (or you).

Research shows that if a page takes longer than 3 seconds to load, almost 40% of users will bounce. That’s traffic you just waved goodbye to! Google, in its infinite wisdom, has decided that slower sites should pay the price. Fast loading pages = happy visitors, and happy visitors equal a better chance of ranking higher in those almighty search results.

But What About My Desktop Users?

Great question! While this update primarily targets mobile users, it doesn’t mean desktop users are off the hook. Google wants your site to be speedy on all platforms. So, if you are only pulling out speed tricks for your mobile users, you might as well be using dial-up on your desktop! The key takeaway: optimize your site across all devices.

Speed Metrics: The Backbone of Optimization

Ah, now we get to the juicy details! When it comes to boosting your page speed, you need to arm yourself with the right **metrics** and tools. Think of these metrics as your secret weapons. Here are a few you absolutely cannot ignore:

1. First Contentful Paint (FCP)

FCP measures how long it takes for the first piece of content to show up on your page. If it feels like watching paint dry, it’s time to shake things up! Aim for under 1 second for optimal user experience. After all, nobody likes to stare at a blank page when they could be binge-watching cat videos instead.

2. Speed Index

The Speed Index tells you how quickly your page content is visibly populated. It’s like a speedometer for your website’s visuals. You want this number to be as low as possible because quick appearances mean users are more likely to stick around and admire your website’s exquisite beauty!

3. Time to Interactive (TTI)

TTI indicates how long it takes for a page to become fully interactive. Trust us, if your users can’t click on buttons or browse menus, they’re not going to be happy campers. You want TTI around 5 seconds or less. Anything more will have them looking for the exits faster than a cat in a room full of vacuum cleaners!

Tools for the Trade

Okay, you’re pumped with metrics, but where do you find them? You don’t want to be wandering around Google looking for rainbow-colored speed wands. Instead, try out these tools:

• Google PageSpeed Insights: A classic choice! It provides insights on both mobile and desktop versions of your site and offers suggestions for improvements.
• GTmetrix: This handy tool breaks down your page speed and gives real-world insights, along with suggestions tailored to your site’s needs.
• WebPageTest: For the more tech-savvy, this tool provides in-depth data about your web performance from multiple locations across the globe.

Time for Action: Optimizing Your Site’s Speed

Now that you’ve soaked up all this speedy knowledge, it’s time to put it into action! Here are a few quick tips to get your site whirring along faster than your morning coffee:

• Compress images: Why send a mammoth-sized image when a compact version will do just fine?
• Minify CSS and JavaScript: Strip away unnecessary characters, spaces, and comments to slim down your code.
• Utilize browser caching: Store some data in your visitors’ browsers to make subsequent visits faster.

As tempting as it is to fill your site with elements that look pretty, remember: speed matters more than flair when it comes to keeping your rankings high and user experience blissful.

Conclusion: Don’t Get Left Behind!

So there you have it! With the Google Speed Update, the stakes are higher than ever for website owners. Fasten those seat belts, optimize your speeds, and keep your content engaging. Adapt now, or risk the cruel reality of being lost in the vast ocean of the internet, left to ponder over what could have been. Happy optimizing!