Worst Websites
Google Now Using Site Speed in Web Search Ranking Part 1 – The Problem
April 9th, 2010 4:04 pm by Vincent Flanders
Yes, it’s finally happened. Google is using your site’s page loading speed in its web search rankings — kind of. It’s only partially implemented and only for English queries — right now. Search Engine Land has an excellent non-Google take on the matter.
The Google article lists various tools to help you evaluate your site’s speed. Page Speed and Yslow are two addons for the Firebug plugin for Firefox. These tools are extremely valuable because they analyze “web pages and suggests ways to improve their performance.” Performance is this year’s black.
Crappy looking sites. In my view, the problem with rewarding web speed is that lots of sites that are the worst sites and worst looking sites on the Internet might see an improvement in search results because they load faster.
Yes, I know that Page Load Time is a minor, minor factor. Still, it seems bizarre that crappy looking sites will get any kind of bonus for loading faster.
Sites That Suck – Ranked by Page Speed Score
| Domain | Page Speed Score | Yslow Score |
| l.a. Eyeworks | 92 | 90 (A) |
| Yvette’s Bridal Formal | 90 | 86 (B) |
| Phonetics | 88 | 75 (C) |
| George Hutchins for U.S. Congress | 87 | 78 (C) |
| ABBC Breeders (4-8-10 – The Easter Theme) | 86 | 77 (C) |
| MIAUK (may induce seizures) | 85 | 79 (C) |
| The Rapture Fall 2009 | 83 | 74 (C) |
| John Titor Time Traveler | 82 | 71 (C) |
| Accept Jesus, Forever Forgiven | 82 | 68 (D) |
| Vivus | 75 | 59 (E) |
| Average | 85 | 75.7 |
Not crappy looking sites. The following is a list of some well-known sites:
Content Rich Sites – Ranked by Page Speed Score
| Domain | Page Speed Score | Yslow Score |
| 93 | 78 (C) | |
| Useit.com Home Page (3-12-10) | 87 | 91 (A) |
| Smashing Magazine (4-8-10) | 86 | 87 (B) |
| WPTS Home Page (4-8-10) | 86 | 81 (B) |
| Firefox | 84 | 71 (C) |
| Amazon.com | 84 | 86 (B) |
| Microsoft Home Page (3-12-10) | 83 | 69 (D) |
| A List Apart (4-8-10) | 77 | 71 (C) |
| UX Magazine “Guiding Principles…” | 74 | 69 (D) |
| New York Times (4-8-10) | 72 | 53 (E) |
| Average | 82.6 | 75.6 |
Jeez. The New York Times scores lower than the turd pile called Yvette’s. Yes, I know content is rewarded.
Irony. I measured the page load speed of three companies who provide performance tuning. Very interesting results.
Three companies that perform Web Site Performance Tuning:
| Domain | Page Speed Score | Yslow Score |
| Company 1 Home Page | 91 | 86 (B) |
| Company 2 Home Page | 73 | 65 (D) |
| Company 3 Home Page | 88 | 77 (C) |
Posted in Daily Sucker |