HTTP/3 does not have a direct influence on SEO in spite of its faster performance, Google states.
Google Browse Supporter John Mueller exposes a theory that the faster speed of HTTP/3 can directly affect
a site’s SEO. This subject is resolved during the November 2022 edition of Google’s SEO office-hours Q&A session. Joined by the Google Browse Relations team, Muller answers the following question:
Could the use of HTTP/3 improve SEO since it enhances performance?
HTTP/3 uses performance advantages over HTTP/2 and HTTP/3. However, the performance gains are unlikely to make a distinction relating to SEO.
Mueller On The SEO Impact Of HTTP/3
Mueller starts his action by stating Google does not utilize HTTP/3 as a ranking factor or in web crawling:
“Google doesn’t utilize HTTP/3 as a factor in ranking at the minute. As far as I know, we don’t use it in crawling either.”
Google mainly uses HTTP/1 for web crawling. Googlebot supports HTTP/2 however just uses it when there’s a clear benefit over HTTP/1.
Support for HTTP/3 is likely a long method off. Websites that choose to adopt it early will not see a direct improvement in search rankings, Mueller describes:
“In terms of efficiency, I believe the gains users see from utilizing HTTP/3 would not suffice to significantly affect the core web vitals, which are the metrics that we utilize in the page experience ranking aspect. While making a much faster server is always a great concept, I question you ‘d see a direct connection with SEO just from utilizing HTTP/3. Comparable to how you ‘d be hard pressed to finding a direct connection to utilizing a faster type of RAM in your servers.”
Mueller gave a comparable reaction when asked about HTTP/3 in December 2021.
However, he suggested HTTP/3 might “potentially indirectly” affect core web vitals.
I don’t believe we crawl with http/3 however that does not imply you won’t see favorable results for users (and with that, possibly indirectly core web vitals too).
— John Mueller is primarily not here (@JohnMu) December 6, 2021
Mueller sounds more confident now in saying that there’s no effect.
Hear his reaction in the video listed below:
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