Google to Launch Core Web Vitals Algorithm / Page Experience 2021  

Is your recruitment site ready for Google’s page experience 2021 update? If not, we have some good news for you. 

In November 2020, the search giant announced that it would start using a new ranking factor called “page experience” in May this year. As part of the preparations for the update, Google introduced Core Web Vitals, a series of benchmarks that site owners can use to measure and enhance page experience. 

However, Google recently revealed that the update wouldn’t be released until mid-June, and it wouldn’t take full effect until the end of August 2021.  If you have yet to make the necessary adjustments to your recruitment site, the delay gives you a significant amount of time to prepare for the scheduled search algorithm changes. 

Page Experience Explained

What is page experience, and why is it important to recruitment agencies like yours? In a nutshell, page experience is how web visitors interact with your pages and how good or bad the experience was. It considers various factors, such as your site’s mobile-friendliness, HTTPS security, and safe browsing. It also involves the Core Web Vitals, which measure: 

• Loading
• Interactivity
• Visual stability 

Why Prepare for the New Algorithm Update

Similar to Google’s previous search algorithm updates, it’s crucial to make the necessary preparations to ensure that your site will: 

1. Continue to attract more visitors

As part of the update, Google will start providing web users and browsers with visual cues to tell them how user-friendly a particular page is. If your recruitment site can provide a quality user experience, Google will prioritise it more than websites, allowing you to attract more visitors. 

2. Prevent a decline in traffic

In their last announcement, the search giant has emphasised how important the new ranking signal will be since Google is keen on providing users with accurate search results and enhanced overall web experience. For this reason, many SEO experts, like us here at Recruitment Traffic, agree that those who will fail to meet the page experience 2021 benchmarks are likely to experience a significant decline in traffic and reduced search rankings. 

User Experience Factors to Consider

When improving your site’s overall user experience, make sure to take into account the following factors: 

1. Page loading speed

It is no secret how frustrating it can be to deal with slow loading web pages. Also, the longer it takes for your recruitment pages to load, the bigger the risk that your prospects will switch to your competitors. 

2. Web structure and design

While page loading speed is vital, it isn’t everything. People are less likely to re-visit your site if it is hard to navigate or has too many intrusive pop-up pages. 

3. Engagement

These days, websites are not just for selling one’s products or services. They are also used for engaging and building strong relationships with potential clients or customers. That being said, you must ensure that you use your site not just for self-promotion. It’s equally important to have a website that can keep your audience engaged, informed, and entertained. 

Optimising Your Website for the New Search Ranking Factor

According to famed author Miguel de Cervantes, “To be prepared is half the victory.” To ensure that your recruitment site will meet the page experience 2021 benchmarks once Google’s new algorithm update goes live, consider these tips: 

1. Develop a keen understanding of the new metrics

Understanding the new metrics that Google will use to measure page experience will go a long way towards improving your site’s search rankings. Therefore, take the time to understand the following metrics and determine how they impact your site: 

• Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) – measures loading performance. LCP must occur within the first 2.5 seconds after a web user clicks a link to your webpage.
• Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) – determines a page’s visual stability. For best results, web pages should have a CLS of 0.1 or less.
• First Input Delay (FID) – gauges interactivity. The ideal FID should be 100 milliseconds or less. 

2. Audit your site

Conduct a site audit while taking the metrics discussed above into consideration. Then, determine the adjustments you need to make to boost your recruitment site’s loading speed, mobile usability, responsiveness, and overall design and structure, amongst other factors. 

3.  Take advantage of Google-recommended tools

You can use a wide range of online tools to gauge and enhance your site’s overall page experience. Google recommends the following: 

• Search Console report for Core Web Vitals
• Page Speed Insights
• Online mobile-friendly test
• Lighthouse 

Improve Your Site’s Page Experience for Better SEO Ranking

With Google’s upcoming algorithm update, SEO is not just about targeting the right keywords or building quality backlinks anymore. It’s also about providing your web visitors with the best user experience. Therefore, consider the pointers discussed above to achieve better search rankings and attract more traffic and leads to your recruitment site. 

At Recruitment Traffic, we are well-aware that preparing your site for Google’s page experience update can be a challenge. This is why we’re more than willing to provide you with the expert assistance you need to get the results you’re expecting. Please speak with us today to receive our award-winning recruitment SEO services.