June 2021 Google Page Experience Update: Core Web Vitals Arrive

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The page experience update began rolling out June 15, 2021, making Core Web Vitals ranking signals in mobile search. Google confirmed completion on September 2, 2021, and desktop followed in February 2022.

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Google began rolling out the page experience update on June 15, 2021, making Core Web Vitals (LCP, FID and CLS) ranking signals in mobile search alongside HTTPS, mobile-friendliness and the absence of intrusive interstitials. Google had laid out the plan in an April 2021 post, "More time, tools, and details on the page experience update", and launch coverage put the gradual rollout at mid-June through the end of August 2021.

Google consistently played down the impact, saying "sites generally should not expect drastic changes" because page experience is one of many ranking factors. From June 17, 2021, the signals also began governing eligibility for the Top Stories carousel. On September 2, 2021, Google confirmed the rollout had finished, slightly past its end-of-August target: "The page experience rollout is complete now, including updates to Top Stories mobile carousel."

Desktop followed. On November 4, 2021, Google published "Timeline for bringing page experience ranking to desktop", committing to a February 2022 start and completion by the end of March 2022, with every mobile signal carried over except mobile-friendliness. The desktop rollout began on February 22, 2022 and is logged at 9 days on Google's ranking updates history.

Rollout log

  • Page experience update begins rolling out gradually in mobile search; completion expected by the end of August 2021.

  • Page experience signals start applying to Top Stories carousel eligibility.

  • Google confirms the rollout is complete, including the Top Stories changes.

  • Google announces the desktop timeline: a February 2022 start, complete by the end of March 2022.

  • Desktop rollout begins, carrying every signal except mobile-friendliness; the official record logs it at 9 days.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

What ranking signals did the page experience update add?

It made the Core Web Vitals metrics (LCP, FID and CLS) ranking signals in mobile search, combined with existing signals: HTTPS, mobile-friendliness and no intrusive interstitials.

When did the page experience update finish rolling out?

Google confirmed completion on September 2, 2021, slightly past the end-of-August target it set when the rollout began on June 15, 2021.

When did page experience come to desktop?

Google announced the desktop timeline on November 4, 2021 and began the desktop rollout on February 22, 2022. It carried over every mobile signal except mobile-friendliness and is logged at 9 days on Google's ranking updates history.

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Cite this page: Keywords Everywhere, "June 2021 Google Page Experience Update: Core Web Vitals Arrive", last updated 2nd Sep 2021, https://keywordseverywhere.com/news/google-algorithm-updates/june-2021-page-experience-update/