Google AMP or Accelerated Mobile Pages is now a feature that really creates a dilemma for blog writers or bloggers. With more and more large sites and websites using the AMP feature, we also have to start rethinking about its application on our blog going forward.
As a blogger, it is an mandatory to always perform optimization so that the page remains attractive and quality in the eyes of readers and search engines.
Understanding and Definitions
For those who don't know, AMP or Accelerated Mobile Pages is a feature created by Google to maximize page loading speed on mobile devices. With this feature, Google wants to provide the best reading experience to every visitor.
Actually, it is not without reason why Google provides this feature. If you look at the facts and surveys that have been conducted, most readers on the internet come from mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the article page so that it can be loaded quickly on the device.
On mobile devices, blogs or websites that implement the AMP feature will be given a special icon in the form of an image ⚡ next to the URL. Here is an overview of a website that implements this feature:
Actually, this article is more about the presence of this feature. In thinking about switching to AMP, very often quite curious questions arise. Here are the questions that come up very often:
- Is AMP an instant solution to increase visitors and rankings?
- Should I install AMP at a time when 5G network technology is available?
- Will AMP continue to be used in the future?
- So, what if there are new features that are more optimal than the AMP?
The four questions above are a summary of the many questions that often arise in my mind.
Before implementing these Google features, it's a good idea to conduct an analysis first of how they are implemented and the aspects of benefits that can be obtained in the future.
For consideration, here are the points that are the advantages and disadvantages of using the AMP feature:
Advantages and Disadvantages of Implementing Google AMP
Advantages
- The page loads very fast
- More mobile friendly
- Increase article rankings in search engines
- Better reading experience
- Decrease the bounce rate
- The appearance of the articles will be more prominent on Google News
- Could be the best solution to replace the role of lazy load images and advertisements
- Reduces server load (uses cache to load pages)
- Look more professional and up to date.
Disadvantages
- The page view has become very simple
- Errors often occur in Google Search Console
- Must edit all articles for AMP validation
- CSS and JavaScript have become very limited to use
- Indexing of older articles
- Only optimized on mobile devices
- Potential to reduce revenue from advertising
- More complicated and confusing usage.
As for the shortcomings I have mentioned, Google always works with the benefit of both readers and writers in mind. It could be, all of these deficiencies will be resolved in the next update.
Solution for Non AMP Usage
Google as the developer of this feature has never actually forced bloggers to implement it. If you are one of the writers who still wants to implement a non-AMP blog or site, here are suggestions I can give so that the page still has maximum performance on the search page:
- Show ads appropriately
- Show widgets or plugins as needed
- Minimize the use of CSS on every page of writing
- Use images that are as sufficient or effective as possible
- Try to provide rel nofollow, noopener, and noreferrer attributes on each external link.
The point is, minimize any components or elements that can trigger a slower page load.
Conclusion
If you look at various sources on the internet, they are generally satisfied and recommend the AMP feature to be use. They very often say that, "AMP can improve the ranking of articles in search engines."
This is actually not wrong, however, it does not mean that non-AMP blogs or sites will be ignored. Do not immediately take the existing opinion to prevent the regret that it can result.
It's different if Google has required every blogger to use AMP, then like it or not, we have to use this feature so that it remains a valid blog or site and follows every search engine requirement.
Now, after knowing the meaning, strengths, weaknesses, and implementation process, hopefully this article can make it easier for you to determine your attitude for your blog going forward.
Enough of this article about Tips Before Switching to Google AMP, Thank you.