Google is releasing a new version of PageSpeed Insights to address many of the issues with the existing version. The main issue with PageSpeed Insights is how the data is presented. There isn’t a clear line between lab and field data.
People who are unfamiliar with PageSpeed Insights may be confused about the data’s context, making it difficult to know what to do with it. Because of the complexity of its layout, many “how to” blog entries have been produced on the topic of analyzing PageSpeed Insights reports.
PageSpeed Insights, the version on the web today, is based on 10-year-old code, according to Google, and it’s time for a makeover. Google plans to make it simpler for developers to use the data, which is why the new version will be released later this year.
The primary objectives of Google‘s new PageSpeed Insights upgrade are:
- Differentiate between lab data and field data to make the user interface more understandable.
- In the user interface, explain how the Core Web Vitals evaluation is calculated.
- Modernize the look and feel of the UI by leveraging material design.
Here’s everything you need to know about what Google has in store for the next version of PageSpeed Insights.
Updates Coming to Google PageSpeed Insights
Later this year, Google will release the following improvements to PageSpeed Insights:
- Separation of field and lab data: Existing labels for “Field data” and “Lab data,” which were formerly used to distinguish between types of data, will be updated with language that describes what the data is and how it may be utilized.
- Core Web Vitals assessment: As of right now, Google’s CWV test shows up as a single word “passed” or “failed.” The new assessment will be housed in its own segment with its own icon.
- Labels for mobile and desktop performance: On the report page, Google is replacing the top navigation menu with links for mobile and desktop.
- Origin Summary: The Origin under the Field Data section is changing to a new tab, “Google,” and the report section will be relocated there.
- Expand view: A new “expand view” feature has been added to the field data section, allowing users to see more detailed information for Core Web Vitals metrics.
- Page image: Google is deleting the current page’s image, which is adjacent to the field data. The picture and thumbnails will be accessible in the lab data area.
PageSpeed Insights is now being updated by Google Finally, at the bottom of every field and lab card, Google is creating a section that shows the following information about the sampled data:
- Data collection period
- Visit durations
- Devices
- Network connections
- Sample size
- Chrome versions
This additional information should make the distinction between lab and field data even more obvious, allowing users who were previously unsure about the two data sources.
There’s no date for the new PageSpeed Insights yet, but Google will provide more information as it gets closer to release.
