Google has recently revised its Page Experience Documentation to explicitly state that Core Web Vitals are incorporated into their ranking systems. However, intriguingly, Google still refrains from affirming that Core Web Vitals directly influences rankings as a ranking factor.

Decoding Google’s Statements on Ranking Factors

Google’s communication regarding ranking factors exhibits a curious pattern. For instance, former Google engineer Matt Cutts, known for his insights on SEO, notably refrains from using the phrase “ranking factor” in his blog posts and YouTube videos, even when discussing crucial aspects like links.
While John Mueller once acknowledged Core Web Vitals as a ranking factor three years ago on Reddit, Google’s official Page Experience Documentation doesn’t explicitly label Core Web Vitals as a ranking factor.
Google’s Search Liaison highlighted this ambiguity in February 2024 when he tweeted about the absence of explicit statements regarding Core Web Vitals as ranking factors or signals. The tweet emphasized Google’s stance that there is no single signal or ranking factor for page experience. Instead, Google’s core ranking systems consider a variety of signals, which may evolve and align with the overall page experience.
The Search Liaison clarified that Google doesn’t endorse the concept of a singular “page experience ranking signal” and encourages website owners to focus on providing a holistic positive experience for visitors.
Even though Google’s Page Experience In Search Results explainer document doesn’t categorize Core Web Vitals as ranking factors, this omission doesn’t necessarily mean they are disregarded. Instead, Google aims to provide guidance and resources to enhance page experience while acknowledging the complexity of ranking algorithms and the fluid nature of signals.

Google Edges Closer to Labeling CWV as a Ranking Factor

Following years of ambiguity surrounding Core Web Vitals (CWV) and their role as ranking factors, Google has made a subtle shift in its documentation, hinting at CWV’s significance in rankings.
Previously, Google refrained from explicitly acknowledging CWV as a ranking factor in its Page Experience In Search Results documentation. However, a recent update to the documentation indicates a change in stance.
The vague statement regarding page experience’s impact on rankings has been replaced with a more direct acknowledgment of CWV’s role in Google’s ranking systems. While the new documentation refrains from using the terms “ranking factor” or “ranking signal,” it clearly states that Google’s ranking algorithms utilize CWV.
The updated guidance emphasizes the importance of achieving good CWV scores for success in search results and overall user experience. It cautions, however, that focusing solely on CWV scores for SEO purposes may not yield optimal results, as other factors also contribute to page experience.
While Google does not explicitly label CWV as a ranking factor, the revised documentation provides a clearer understanding of their significance in Google’s ranking systems.

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