Google has been a leading search engine for over two decades, and over the years, it has evolved and refined its search algorithms to deliver better results to users. Recently, Google announced an update to its documented ranking systems page, removing four ranking systems from the list. The removed ranking systems include mobile-friendly ranking, page speed, secure sites, and page experience systems. These Google SEO changes have caused a stir among website owners and SEO professionals, as they are now left wondering what factors will influence their website’s ranking. Let’s dive into the details of what this update means for website owners and SEO in the context of Google SEO changes.
What are the removed ranking systems?
The mobile-friendly ranking system was introduced in 2015, which rewarded websites that were optimized for mobile devices. The page speed system was introduced in 2010, which encouraged website owners to improve their website’s loading speed. The secure sites system was introduced in 2014, which gave priority to sites that used HTTPS encryption. The page experience system was introduced in 2020, which included several signals, such as Core Web Vitals, mobile-friendliness, HTTPS, and no intrusive interstitials, to measure user experience on websites.
What does this update mean?
Google’s announcement has raised questions about whether these ranking systems had any significant impact on website rankings. While Google has not explicitly stated that these ranking systems had little impact, it’s worth noting that the company has removed them from the list. This update may serve as further evidence that other signals are more important for website rankings.
However, Google has clarified that the page experience signals are still relevant and worth attention. In a FAQ section, Google stated that “not all of these may be directly used to inform ranking, we do find that all of these aspects of page experience align with success in search ranking.”
What should website owners do?
Website owners should not panic about this update, as it doesn’t mean that mobile-friendliness, page speed, and HTTPS encryption are no longer important. These aspects are still essential for providing a good user experience, and Google has indicated that they align with success in search ranking. Website owners should focus on creating high-quality, user-friendly websites that meet the needs of their audience.
Conclusion
Google’s decision to retire these ranking systems may not have a significant impact on website rankings. However, it’s essential to note that creating a user-friendly website that loads quickly, is mobile-friendly, and uses HTTPS encryption is still crucial for providing a good user experience. Website owners should focus on improving these aspects of their website to ensure that they continue to rank well in search engine results.
