What is Google PageSpeed and what is it used for?
You may have heard of Google PageSpeed, or perhaps already used the tool to analyse the speed of your website. There is a lot to say about the tool, the scores and website performance in general. In this article, I start with the basics and explain what the tool is and what it is actually used for.
What does Google PageSpeed mean?
Google PageSpeed, officially Google PageSpeed Insights, is a free tool that anyone can use. It analyses websites across a range of metrics and returns a report with scores from 0 to 100 for four pillars: Performance, Accessibility, Best Practices and SEO. The report is split into a mobile and a desktop version.
Google PageSpeed Insights is available here. The tool runs on Lighthouse. Those two names are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference. Lighthouse mainly uses lab data, while PageSpeed Insights combines lab data with real-world data. Lab data comes from a controlled test setup, for example on a simulated 3G or 4G connection. Real-world data comes from actual Chrome users.
Why is the tool useful and why do I want a fast website?
The PageSpeed report helps you identify where your website can improve. That might be an oversized image, a JavaScript file that blocks rendering, unstable layouts or a slow server. Performance problems can have many causes, and PageSpeed helps make them concrete.
That data is useful because a faster website is not just technically better; it usually performs better for visitors and for the organisation behind it.
SEO
Google prefers fast websites in its search results. Speed is not the only ranking factor, but it does play a role. A faster site can therefore contribute to better visibility in search.User experience and retention
Visitors are used to fast digital products. If a page feels slow, users are more likely to leave. Faster interaction and shorter wait times make a site feel more reliable and pleasant to use.Conversion
A better user experience often leads to better conversion. Many studies show that even small performance gains can increase sign-ups, donations, purchases or other business-critical actions.
Why does Google care about this tool?
Shorter loading times make it easier for Google to crawl and index pages. Google wants users to reach useful, fast and stable websites, especially on mobile devices where network conditions are often less reliable.
That is why PageSpeed exists: it gives site owners a practical way to analyse performance and improve it. The split between desktop and mobile results also helps teams recognise that mobile performance deserves separate attention.
Want to know more about Google PageSpeed and how to use it?
We are happy to help you interpret PageSpeed data and translate it into concrete improvements for your website or digital platform.