Does Google Weblight worth for SEOs?

Sanjay Kumar
Jul 22, 2017 · 3 min read

Google Weblight, It’s a lighter version of your webpages to load fastest on slow internet connection to users who uses either 2G connection or experience the similar kind of network problem.

Google Weblight is an initiative developed and backed by Google.com for specific countries which are facing slow network connection and to open it faster for searchers, Google transform the pages into lighter version by excluding heavy components such as images, files etc and loads the optimized webpage through a special URL powered by Google itself.

Advantages of Implementing Google Weblight for your website

It’s noticed that Google Weblight minimized the overall load time by 4 times and saved the data utilization by 80 percent while serving to users compared to original web page performance on slow network connection.

This also showed 50 percent growth in website traffic.

When I tested one of top real estate industry website using web page testing tool. It shows 89.5 percent of differences in load time.

Google Weblight vs Original Web Page performance

Google Weblight vs Original page performance
It took 3.5 second to load the Weblight version.

Undoubtedly, using Google Weblight has several benefits for SEOs. Some of the benefits I experienced while working on many projects are below -

  • It improves browsing experience.
  • It shows optimized navigation to visitors.
  • It improves load time by minimizing unnecessary javascripts and css call.
  • Obviously, It saves network data by 80%.
  • It does not impact your ad revenue.
  • It supports several ad networks (Sovrn, Zedo, and AdSense.)

Does Google Weblight affects Ranking?

I think, it refers more to a signal of website speed that is highly considerable by Google. Being on Google Weblight makes more sense of enhancing superior user experience by loading webpage faster for the visitor on slow network connection.

I took it as a case study while working with the company since its announcements and it’s been almost a couple of year but I’ve not seen any boost in search ranking till now.

How Google Analytics tracks transcoded page?

Google supports only universal analytics to track transcoded page. Google affix googleweblight.com (http://googleweblight.com/?lite_url=[your_website_URL]) while opening your webpage on slow network. Due to this data is recorded as referral traffic coming from Google weblight in your analytic referral section.

Which browser supports Google Weblight?

Currently, Chrome and android browser supports Google weblight.

How can I stop Google from Transcoding my pages?

If you want your webpage not to be converted in weblight version. Simply put ‘cache-control: no transform’ in your HTTP header. Whenever Googlebot will hit your webpage and see the header response, Your page will not be transformed into Google weblight version.

Do Google Weblight and AMP work the same?

As per Anuvrat Rao (a Google guy), Both have different purpose. Google Weblight lighten web search experience whereas AMP is all about fast page rendering and content delivery in mobile web.

Wrapping Up

All in all, Google weblight enhance web search experience and helps your business to acquire more user and traffic. Do share your view and your experience with Google weblight by commenting below.

Sanjay Kumar

Written by

Digital Marketing Consultant, Blogger https://imsanjayk.wordpress.com/

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade