Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP): The SEO Trick Every Blogger Needs [updated 2023]

Mar 9

Have you heard of the SEO trick that many bloggers seem to avoid? Well, let's get straight to the point and discuss AMP blog posts! If you're a Squarespace user or an aspiring website owner, this is a must-read for you.

In this article, we'll break down what AMP blog posts are, why bloggers are hesitant to use them, and why we strongly recommend giving them a shot to boost your website's performance.

FOR YOU NOT TO GET LOST:

What Are AMP Blog Posts and How to Enable Them?
Why Some Bloggers Avoid Using AMP
Let’s talk about the Importance of AMP
What's New About AMP in 2023
How to Preview Your AMP Blog Posts
BONUS: FAQ!
Conclusion

Welcome AMP Blog posts - our SEOvior for today!

Accelerated Mobile Pages, or AMP, are a blessing for mobile users as they make websites load faster and enhance user experience. Let’s cut to the chase, we'’ll show you first how to enable an AMP blog post on your Squarespace website. Oh, we'’ll make sure you won’t leave this blog post without turning it on.

So, how do you enable AMP blog posts on your Squarespace website? It's a piece of cake:

From the home menu, go to settings, then blogging.
Scroll down to the Accelerated Mobile Pages section.
Click "use AMP."

Why Some Bloggers Avoid Using AMP:

Some bloggers shy away from AMP because enabling it means sacrificing some custom styling and design tweaks. However, it's essential to understand that AMP focuses on delivering speed and clarity, especially for mobile users. When Accelerated Mobile Pages or AMP is turned on, it gives magic to mobile users to load your website faster. AMP also enhances readability to improve user experience. Now, let's dive into the compelling reasons why you should embrace AMP blog posts.

Things to consider

Only blog posts are supported by AMP.
AMP is only used in Google mobile search results.
They don’t work only on mobile devices.

Few format changes

The page margins have been re-adjusted
Muli font is used for all the text.
Supported blocks stack into a single column (note that this is a common feature of all Squarespace mobile pages).
Custom codes won’t appear.

The following blocks appear in AMP posts

Audio Blocks
Embed Blocks
Gallery Blocks - All Gallery Block types display as a slideshow.
Image Blocks
Line Blocks
Markdown Blocks
Quote Blocks
Text Blocks
Video Blocks

All other blocks are not supported.
Note that a discover link is placed at the bottom of your website linking to your full site.
Most bloggers prefer not to lose their custom styling on their websites. For some people, style may not concern them but specifically design bloggers, style is everything to them that’s why AMP posts are a big no-no for them.

Let’s talk about the Importance of AMP

REASON NO. 1:

AMP STOPS SLOW CONNECTION IN SCARING YOUR VISITORS AWAY

Who would want to check for a website that is yes pretty, and aesthetic, but information takes too much time to load? Most people spend their time on social media to enjoy and relax, the last thing that they would want is another stress from a slow-loading webpage. Also, note that most people use their mobile data as their internet, and girl if I can only tell you how signal affects the connectivity.
Since everyone uses mobile devices for a quick search more than their laptops, AMP and your website are like salt and pepper than are better together.
Believe me when we say that those people (including us) would want to get that information as fast as we can because time is gold (cliche? but it’s true!), all the aesthetics are pretty but people value time more than anything.

REASON NO. 2:

AMP BLOG POSTS AS OUR SEOVIOR

AMP Blog posts are the star of the show for SEO. But, wait what is SEO right?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. To put it simply, SEO is in charge of what website will come first when someone searches for something. I tell you what, SEO loves AMP blog posts so much because SEO favors websites that load faster. That’s the primary use of AMP, to give users the comfort they need in a form of a lightweight experience.

REASON NO. 3

AMP PROVIDES CLARITY

AMP is not just about speed; it's also about improving the reading experience for all users. Visitors, including those with reading disabilities or older individuals, will appreciate the enhanced clarity and readability of your blog posts.

What's New About AMP in 2023

In 2023, AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) has evolved significantly, and its impact on website performance and SEO has become even more pronounced. Google, along with other search engines, has continued to prioritize fast-loading web pages, making AMP an essential tool for website owners looking to stay ahead in the digital landscape.

Enhanced Mobile-First Indexing

With the increasing dominance of mobile internet usage, Google has shifted its focus to mobile-first indexing. This means that Google now predominantly uses the mobile version of a website's content for indexing and ranking. By enabling AMP, you ensure that your website delivers a seamless and speedy experience to mobile users, aligning perfectly with Google's mobile-first approach.

2. Core Web Vitals Integration

Google's Core Web Vitals are a set of metrics that measure key aspects of a website's user experience, such as loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability. In 2021, Google officially incorporated Core Web Vitals into its ranking algorithm, emphasizing the importance of user-centric performance. Websites that leverage AMP often see significant improvements in these vital metrics, leading to better rankings and increased visibility in search results.

3. Improved Analytics and Tracking

AMP has made considerable strides in analytics and tracking capabilities. Website owners can now get more granular insights into user behavior on AMP pages, allowing them to make data-driven decisions for further optimization. Additionally, the integration of advanced tracking solutions, like Google Analytics and Tag Manager, with AMP has become much more streamlined, making it easier for bloggers and businesses to gather valuable data.

4. Expanded Support for Multimedia Content

Initially focused on text-based content, AMP has expanded its support for various multimedia elements. Now, bloggers can create visually engaging and interactive AMP blog posts by incorporating multimedia elements such as video, audio, and image carousels. This enhancement has proven to be especially appealing to audiences who prefer consuming content through rich media experiences.

5. Wider Adoption Among E-Commerce Sites

In recent years, AMP has gained traction among e-commerce websites seeking to improve their mobile user experience. Online retailers are embracing AMP to deliver faster-loading product pages, reduce bounce rates, and enhance overall conversion rates. By implementing AMP on their websites, e-commerce businesses have witnessed tangible improvements in both search rankings and sales metrics.

How to Preview Your AMP Blog Posts:

Once you've enabled AMP, you might wonder how your posts will appear. No worries, we've got you covered. After activating AMP, the AMP version of your URL will appear in mobile Google results automatically. To preview it, simply add "?format=amp" at the end of your post URL.

For example:

Standard blog post URL: http://myblog.com/blog/2016/2/19/mypost

URL to view the AMP version: http://myblog.com/blog/2016/2/19/mypost?format=amp

LET ME WRAP UP WITH THIS UP WITH AN ANALOGY:

When shopping, we prefer the sales lady that won’t disturb us and also we like the ones who tend to every question fast enough because they know everything about the product. Especially, we love the ones who can get stocks in one fell swoop. Comfort is everything, right? It’s true that quality never goes out of style but to tell you, time flies when you’re having fun, visitors will spend more time on your website and they’re more likely to come back again because of the comfort AMP brought.

For sure, they’ll be more curious about what your website really is, and ta-da! they’ll click the discover button, and will reveal the true beauty of your website. It’s like AMP is the ticket for them to get to know more about your site.

BONUS: FAQ!

No, currently, AMP blog posts are primarily utilized in Google mobile search results.
AMP is designed for blog posts only, so it won't work for other types of content.
Enabling AMP may adjust certain elements of your design, but it won't compromise the overall look and feel of your website significantly.

Absolutely! Enabling AMP blog posts is an excellent SEO strategy as it improves your website's loading speed, a factor that search engines prioritize for ranking.
Yes, if you ever change your mind, you can always disable AMP and return to your original blog post design. However, keep in mind the potential impact on user experience and SEO rankings.

In a nutshell, AMP blog posts are an excellent addition to your website. They enhance speed, SEO rankings, and readability, all of which contribute to a better user experience. While some custom styling may be sacrificed, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Think of AMP as your website's best friend, ensuring that your visitors have a comfortable and enjoyable stay.

So, don't hesitate to enable AMP blog posts and take advantage of this powerful SEO trick. It's easy to implement and offers substantial rewards. Remember, time is gold, and a fast-loading website is a gift your visitors will truly appreciate.