By Shad Super in Questions —

What Are the Most Common Issues Flagged by PageSpeed Insights That Can Negatively Impact SEO, and What Are the Best Practices for Resolving Them?

Summary

Google PageSpeed Insights identifies several performance issues that can negatively impact SEO, including slow server response times, large JavaScript and CSS files, and unoptimized images. Addressing these issues through techniques like using a CDN, compressing files, and minimizing render-blocking resources can significantly enhance page load speed and improve search engine rankings.

Common Issues Flagged by PageSpeed Insights

1. Slow Server Response Times

When the server response time is slow, it delays the loading process of the entire page. This metric is often referred to as Time to First Byte (TTFB).

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2. Large JavaScript and CSS Files

Bigger JavaScript and CSS files can slow down the page load times since they may require more data to be downloaded and processed by the browser.

Best Practices:

  • Minify Files: Reduce the size of your JavaScript and CSS files by removing unnecessary characters and spaces. [Minify CSS, 2023].
  • Defer Non-Critical JavaScript: Use <script defer></script> or <script async></script> to load non-essential scripts only after the initial load. [Defer Non-Critical JavaScript, 2023].
  • Inline Critical CSS: Place essential styles directly within the HTML document to reduce render-blocking time. [Optimize CSS Delivery, 2022].

3. Unoptimized Images

Images that are not properly optimized can significantly increase the page load time.

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4. Render-Blocking Resources

Render-blocking JavaScript and CSS can delay the rendering of your page, making it slower to users.

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5. Unoptimized Web Fonts

Non-optimized fonts can cause a delay in rendering text, leading to a Flash of Invisible Text (FOIT).

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References