Google is releasing a new edition of PageSpeed Insights that will fix many of the shortcomings of the previous version.
One of the most serious issues with PageSpeed Insights is how data is displayed. There is no apparent distinction between lab and field data.
People new to PageSpeed Insights may need to become more familiar with the context of the data they are viewing, making it difficult to know what to do with it.
Many “how to” blog entries have been produced on deciphering the PageSpeed Insights report, owing to the uncertainty caused by its design.
The current version of PageSpeed Insights on the web is based on 10-year-old code, and Google thinks it’s time for a revamp.
Google believes that releasing the upgrade later this year would make it easier for developers to read the report and act on its insights.
The following are Google’s primary goals for the upcoming PageSpeed Insights redesign:
- Make the UI more intuitive by distinguishing between lab data and field data;
- Communicate how the Core Web Vitals assessment is calculated in the UI; and
- Modernize the look and feel of the UI by leveraging material design.
Here’s additional information on what Google has in store for the latest edition of one of its oldest tools.
Updates Google PageSpeed Insights is on the way.
Later this year, Google will release the following enhancements to PageSpeed Insights:
- Field and lab data separation: Existing labels for “Field Data” and “Lab Data” are being replaced with wording indicating what the data represents and how it may help.
- Google’s Core Web Vitals evaluation now shows as a single word “passed” or “failed.” The amended evaluation will be shown in a new subsection with its symbol.
- Mobile and desktop performance labels: Google is altering the top navigation menu to include mobile and desktop links on the report page.
- Origin Summary: Google is transferring this report component to a new tab under the Field Data section called “Origin.”
- Expand view: The field data section now has a “expand view” capability that allows users to explore granular information for the Core Web Vitals metrics.
- Page Image: Google is deleting the loaded page’s picture from its present place next to the field data. The picture, as well as thumbnails, will be available in the lab data area.
Finally, Google has included a section at the bottom of every field and lab card that gives the following data sample details:
- Data collection time
- Visit durations
- Devices
- Network connections
- Sample size
This extra information should contrast lab and field data increasingly obvious, assisting users who were previously perplexed by the two types of data.
There is no date for the new PageSpeed Insights, but Google will provide more information as the launch date approaches.