PageSpeed Insights and Squarespace SEO
TL;DR:
- PageSpeed Insights warnings don't directly hurt your Squarespace site's SEO rankings
- Google uses Core Web Vitals based on real user data from Chrome browsers, not PSI scores
- Actual user experience matters more than lab-based PSI scores for SEO
- Focus on genuine site speed improvements rather than chasing perfect PSI numbers
- Monitor real user metrics through Search Console and Analytics instead
PageSpeed Insights gets a lot of attention from Squarespace site owners, often causing unnecessary panic when scores come back low. Here's what you actually need to know about how it affects your SEO.
What PageSpeed Insights Actually Measures
PageSpeed Insights runs your site through a lab environment and provides suggestions for improvement. It's useful for spotting technical issues, but it's not measuring what your actual visitors experience.
The tool generates two types of data: lab data (synthetic testing) and field data (real user metrics). For SEO purposes, Google cares about the field data.
How Google Really Measures Site Speed for SEO
Google uses Core Web Vitals as a ranking factor. These metrics come from real Chrome users visiting your site, not from lab tests. The three Core Web Vitals are:
- Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) – how quickly your main content loads
- First Input Delay (FID) – how responsive your site is to user interactions
- Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) – how stable your page layout is while loading
You can check these real user metrics in Google Search Console under the Core Web Vitals report.
Why PSI Scores Don't Directly Impact SEO
A low PageSpeed Insights score won't automatically tank your rankings. Google has confirmed that they use field data (real user experiences) rather than lab data for ranking decisions.
This means if your actual visitors have fast loading experiences, your SEO stays protected even with poor PSI scores. The reverse is also true – a perfect PSI score means nothing if real users experience slow loading times.
When to Act on PageSpeed Insights Warnings
Use PSI as a diagnostic tool rather than a report card. Pay attention to suggestions that could improve real user experience:
Worth fixing:
- Oversized images that slow down loading
- Render-blocking resources that delay content display
- Server response time issues
Less critical for SEO:
- Minor JavaScript optimisations that don't affect user experience
- Third-party script warnings you can't control
- Suggestions that require major development work for minimal gains
Better Ways to Monitor Squarespace Performance
Instead of obsessing over PSI scores, track metrics that actually matter:
Google Search Console: Check your Core Web Vitals report for real user data. This shows whether Google considers your site fast enough for SEO purposes.
Google Analytics: Look at page load times and bounce rates. If users stick around and engage with your content, your site speed is probably fine.
Manual testing: Load your site on different devices and connections. If it feels fast to you and your visitors, that's what counts.
Squarespace-Specific Performance Tips
Squarespace handles most technical optimisations automatically, but you can still make improvements:
- Compress images before uploading (aim for under 500KB per image)
- Limit the number of third-party integrations and widgets
- Choose simpler templates if speed is a major concern
- Use Squarespace's built-in lazy loading for images
- Avoid embedding too many social media feeds or external content
The platform's CDN and automatic optimisations handle most of the heavy lifting, which is why many Squarespace sites perform well for real users despite average PSI scores.
FAQs
Will a low PageSpeed Insights score hurt my Squarespace SEO?
Not directly. Google uses real user data from Core Web Vitals for ranking decisions, not lab-based PSI scores. Check Search Console for your actual performance metrics.
Should I hire a developer to fix all PSI warnings?
Only if the warnings point to genuine user experience issues. Many PSI suggestions won't significantly impact real user experience or SEO for Squarespace sites.
My competitor has better PSI scores but ranks lower than me. Why?
PSI scores aren't a direct ranking factor. SEO depends on content quality, relevance, real user experience, and many other factors beyond site speed.
How often should I check my site's performance?
Monthly checks in Search Console are enough for most sites. Only check PSI if you're troubleshooting specific performance issues or after making major site changes.
Jargon Buster
Core Web Vitals – Three specific metrics Google uses to measure real user experience: loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability
Field Data – Performance measurements from real users visiting your site, collected through Chrome browsers
Lab Data – Synthetic performance testing done in controlled conditions, like what PageSpeed Insights provides
Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) – Measures how long it takes for the main content of a page to finish loading
CDN (Content Delivery Network) – A network of servers that delivers your site's content from locations closest to your visitors
Wrap-up
PageSpeed Insights serves as a useful diagnostic tool, but don't let poor scores keep you awake at night. Google cares more about what your real visitors experience than what happens in lab testing.
Focus on genuine improvements that make your Squarespace site faster and more enjoyable for actual users. Monitor your Core Web Vitals in Search Console, keep your images optimised, and trust that Squarespace handles most of the technical heavy lifting.
Your SEO success depends on creating valuable content and providing a good user experience, not achieving perfect performance scores.
Ready to learn more about optimising your Squarespace site? Join Pixelhaze Academy for in-depth training and support.