Google's Removal of the Page Experience Report in Search Console

In November 2024, Google announced significant changes to its Search Console Page Experience Report, which includes its complete removal in favor of a more integrated, holistic approach to user experience evaluation. These changes are part of Google’s efforts to refine how website owners assess and optimize their site’s performance while moving away from certain tools that were overly relied upon.

What Is Changing?

1. Discontinuation of Reports:

   • The Page Experience Report is being retired entirely, along with the "Good Page Experience" filter in the Performance Report. This report previously assessed mobile and desktop page experiences, incorporating metrics like Core Web Vitals, HTTPS, and the absence of intrusive interstitials.
   • The Mobile Usability Report and Mobile-Friendly Testing Tool are also being phased out. However, Google maintains that mobile usability remains critical, given its prominence in user interactions.

2. What Remains:

   • The Core Web Vitals and HTTPS reports will continue to be available in Search Console as they remain key aspects of user experience metrics.
   • A new overview page has been added to provide guidance on page experience elements, but it does not contain the same detailed data as the original report.

Why These Changes?

Google’s shift reflects its broader view that a good page experience cannot be encapsulated by a single report or metric. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of a multifaceted approach to user experience, where individual factors contribute collectively to rankings.

The company highlighted that while page experience factors influence rankings, they do not act as a standalone signal. This perspective aligns with Google's focus on providing high-quality content as the cornerstone of search success.

Implications for SEO Professionals

1. Rely on Alternative Tools: While the Page Experience Report and Mobile-Friendly Test are being removed, tools like Google Lighthouse and third-party platforms remain robust alternatives for evaluating aspects of user experience.

2. Core Web Vitals Are Still Key: Core Web Vitals, including metrics such as Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS), remain crucial for assessing performance and should be prioritized.

3. Holistic Optimization: SEOs and developers should integrate all aspects of page experience—speed, usability, interactivity, and security—into their broader optimization strategies.

Google's Future Focus

The Page Experience Report’s removal signals Google’s commitment to evolving its tools to match user needs and technological advancements. The goal is to help webmasters adopt a more integrated and adaptable approach to enhancing page quality.

Recommendations for Webmasters

• Regularly audit your site using tools like Google Lighthouse.
• Maintain a strong focus on Core Web Vitals and HTTPS as baseline metrics.
• Stay updated on Google's evolving guidance for user experience optimization.

This transition may initially feel disruptive for SEOs accustomed to detailed reports. However, it provides an opportunity to explore broader, more dynamic approaches to improving user experience in line with modern search demands.

For further details, refer to the updates discussed by Search Engine Roundtable and AdLift. These resources provide valuable insights into adapting to these changes.