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Introduction to SEO: AMP vs. core web vitals
In the ever-evolving world of search engine optimization (SEO), webmasters and developers are faced with the challenge of optimizing their websites for optimal performance and visibility in search results. Two important concepts that have gained prominence in recent years are Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) and Core Web Vitals. Both aim to improve the user experience, but in different ways. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of both approaches and analyze which one might be more important for your SEO strategy.
What are Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP)?
AMP, an open source project from Google, was introduced in 2015 to speed up mobile websites. It provides a lightweight framework for creating websites that load quickly and offer a smooth user experience on mobile devices. AMP pages are cached by Google and given preferential treatment in search results, which can lead to improved visibility.
Advantages of AMP:
- Faster loading times on mobile devices
- Improved user experience through reduced design
- Higher probability of prominent rankings in the search results
- Automatic optimizations through the AMP framework
Disadvantages of AMP:
- Limited design and function options
- Dependence on Google for provision and updating
- Complexity of implementation and maintenance
- Possible SEO restrictions for specific customizations
What are Core Web Vitals?
Core Web Vitals, on the other hand, are a set of specific factors that Google uses to evaluate the overall quality of the user experience on a website. They include three main metrics:
- Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Measures the loading time of the largest visible content on a page.
- First Input Delay (FID): Evaluates the interactivity of a page.
- Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Measures the visual stability of a page during the loading process.
These metrics are part of the Page Experience signalswhich Google uses as a ranking factor.
Why are Core Web Vitals important?
- Direct influence on the search engine ranking
- Comprehensive evaluation of the user experience
- Promotion of best practices in web development
- Flexibility in implementation regardless of the technologies used
AMP vs. core web vitals: a comparison
While AMP focuses on the speed and efficiency of mobile pages, Core Web Vitals offer a more comprehensive approach to evaluating the user experience. They take into account not only the loading speed, but also the interactivity and visual stability of a page.
Flexibility and adaptability
An important difference between AMP and Core Web Vitals lies in their flexibility. AMP requires the use of a specific framework and can limit the functionality of a website. Core Web Vitals, on the other hand, can be implemented on any website, regardless of the technology used. This allows developers greater freedom in the design and functionality of their pages, as long as they meet the performance goals.
AMP:
- Limited customization options due to the framework
- Standardized components for consistency
Core Web Vitals:
- Independent of specific frameworks
- Flexibility in design and functionality
SEO implications
In terms of SEO, Google has confirmed that Core Web Vitals are a direct ranking factor. Although AMP pages often achieve good Core Web Vitals scores, AMP itself is no longer a direct ranking factor. This means that websites that achieve good Core Web Vitals scores can perform well in search results even without AMP.
Important points:
- Core Web Vitals are part of the Page Experience signals
- Direct influence on the ranking
- AMP is no longer considered a direct ranking factor
- Focus on core web vitals for a sustainable SEO strategy
Implementation and optimization
It is important to note that implementing AMP does not automatically lead to good Core Web Vitals scores. Conversely, non-AMP pages can achieve excellent Core Web Vitals scores if they are well optimized. The focus should therefore be on optimizing the user experience, regardless of whether AMP is used or not.
Tips for optimizing Core Web Vitals:
- Optimize images and media for faster loading times
- Minimize JavaScript and CSS to improve interactivity
- Avoid unexpected layout shifts with stable design elements
- Use caching strategies and content delivery networks (CDNs)
When does AMP make sense?
For many websites, it might make more sense to focus on optimizing Core Web Vitals instead of implementing AMP. This offers several advantages:
- Greater flexibility in design and functionality
- Consistent user experience on all devices
- Direct impact on the ranking in the search results
- Improve overall website performance and user satisfaction
The decision between AMP and Core Web Vitals ultimately depends on the specific requirements and goals of your website. For News websites or blogs with mainly static content, AMP could be a good choice to ensure fast loading times on mobile devices. For more complex websites with interactive elements or e-commerce features, it might make more sense to focus on optimizing the Core Web Vitals.
Further optimization strategies for better SEO performance
In addition to AMP and Core Web Vitals, there are numerous other strategies that can help improve your website's SEO performance:
On-page optimization
On-page SEO includes all measures that are carried out directly on the website itself in order to improve its position in the search results. This includes
- Use of relevant keywords in titles, headings and texts
- Optimization of meta tags and descriptions
- Internal linking to improve the page structure
- Creation of high-quality and unique content
Technical SEO
Technical SEO refers to the optimization of the technical aspects of your website in order to facilitate the crawling and indexing processes of search engines:
- Improvement of the page loading speed
- Ensuring mobile-friendliness and responsive design
- Implementation of SSL certificates for secure connections
- Creation and optimization of XML sitemaps
Content marketing and backlinks
High-quality content and a strong backlink profile are crucial for a successful SEO strategy:
- Creation of informative and appealing content that offers added value
- Promotion of natural link building through partnerships and outreach
- Use of social media for the distribution and visibility of your content
- Regular updating and maintenance of content
Tools for monitoring and optimization
Regardless of the strategy you choose, it is important to continuously monitor and optimize the performance of your website. Use tools such as:
- Google Search Console: Monitors the presence of your website in Google search results and identifies technical problems.
- PageSpeed Insights: Analyzes the loading speed and offers suggestions for optimization.
- Google Analytics: Tracks user behavior and the performance of your website.
- Core Web Vitals report: Provides detailed insights into the Core Web Vitals metrics of your pages.
Conclusion: Core Web Vitals as the key to successful SEO
In summary, it can be said that Core Web Vitals are currently more important for SEO than AMP. They offer a more comprehensive approach to improving the user experience and are a direct ranking factor. While AMP can still offer benefits for certain types of websites, webmasters and developers should focus on it first and foremost, your websites optimize for good Core Web Vitals scores. This will not only improve SEO performance, but also lead to a better user experience for all visitors, regardless of the device or platform used.
Final recommendations:
- Prioritize the optimization of core web vitals for a sustainable SEO strategy
- Only use AMP if it offers specific advantages for your website type
- Integrate comprehensive SEO practices such as on-page optimization, technical SEO and content marketing
- Continuously monitor and analyze the performance of your website with suitable tools
By focusing on core web vitals and a holistic SEO strategy, you ensure that your website is optimized for both search engines and users.
