Understanding Page Speed: Why Your Website Feels Fast But Google Says It’s Slow

You have a beautiful new website. It loads quickly, your customers are not complaining, and everything seems fine. But then one of two things happens:

Scenario 1: Someone contacts you, saying your site is “terribly slow,” and shows a red PageSpeed score, insisting you need their help immediately.

Scenario 2: You run a Google PageSpeed test, get a poor score, and your developer tells you, “Do not worry about those scores; they do not matter.”

So who is right? Is your site actually slow?

The truth is more nuanced. Understanding the difference between what you experience and what Google measures is key to making informed decisions about your website.

Two Types of Speed Measurements

When we talk about “page speed,” there are two distinct types of measurements:

1. Lab Data (Synthetic Testing)

• Mid-range mobile device (Moto G4)
• Throttled 4G connection
• No cached files (simulating a first-time visitor)
• Tests from a single location

Key point: Lab data highlights technical issues such as large images, slow server responses, or inefficient code. It simulates a controlled mid-range scenario and does not directly affect search rankings.

2. Field Data (Real User Monitoring)

• Devices used
• Internet speeds
• Locations
• Browsing habits

Key point: Field data shows what real visitors actually experience and does affect search rankings.

Why Your Experience Can Feel Faster

Several factors make your own experience faster than most visitors’ experiences:

• Browser Caching: Your browser stores files locally, so repeat visits are faster. PageSpeed Insights tests a first-time visitor with no cached files.
• Fast Internet Connection: You may use fast Wi-Fi or broadband, while some visitors use slower mobile networks. Lab tests simulate a controlled mid-range connection.
• Modern Devices: Your laptop or smartphone is likely fast. Lab tests simulate a mid-range device.
• Geographic Location: If your server is nearby, your site feels faster. Visitors further away experience additional latency.
• Familiarity Bias: You know your site, so navigation feels instant. First-time visitors do not have this advantage.

A Simple Analogy: Testing a Car

Think of page speed testing like testing a car:

Lab test: Controlled track, professional drivers, consistent conditions. Reveals mechanical issues and true capabilities.

Field test: Real traffic, various roads, different drivers. Shows the everyday experience of actual users.

Both matter. Lab tests help you identify and fix issues, while field tests reflect real-world experiences.

Google Uses Real User Data for Ranking

Field data is what Google uses for search rankings. Core Web Vitals, metrics derived from real-user data, are official ranking factors. Data is collected and averaged over the past 28 to 30 days.

The Bottom Line

• Do not panic if your lab scores are not perfect. Lab scores are diagnostic tools, not a measure of success.
• Focus on delivering a fast, smooth, and reliable experience for real visitors. This improves engagement, conversions, and search performance.

If you have questions about your PageSpeed scores, we can review your site and explain what the numbers really mean for your business. Contact us for a no-obligation discussion about your website’s performance.