Preloading
Definition
Preloading a webpage refers to the process of loading certain resources (such as images or fonts) in advance, before they are actually needed by the user. This can help to improve the performance of a website by reducing the amount of time that it takes to load and render the page.
How to preload webpages
There are several ways to preload resources on a webpage. One way is to use the <link> element with the rel attribute set to "preload" in the HTML <head> of the page[1]. This tells the browser to start loading the specified resource in the background as soon as possible.
Here is an example of using the <link> element to preload a font:
<link rel="preload" href="/fonts/myfont.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin>
Another way to preload resources is to use the <link> element with the rel attribute set to "prefetch". This tells the browser to start loading the specified resource in the background, but with a lower priority than resources that are marked as "preload".
Here is an example of using the <link> element to prefetch an image:
<link rel="prefetch" href="/images/myimage.jpg">
Preloading resources can help to improve the performance of a website, but it is important to use it sparingly and only for resources that are likely to be needed by the user. Overuse of preloading can actually have a negative impact on performance by using up bandwidth and other resources.
Preloading and SEO
Preloading resources can potentially have a positive effect on SEO by improving the performance of a website. Faster loading times can make a website more user-friendly and can improve the overall user experience. This can lead to a lower bounce rate, which is a measure of how quickly users leave a website after arriving, and can ultimately result in a better search ranking.
Preloading resources can potentially improve core web vitals by reducing the time it takes for a webpage to load and become interactive.
However, it is important to use preloading sparingly and only for resources that are likely to be needed by the user. Overuse of preloading can actually have a negative impact on performance and can negatively affect core web vitals. It is also important to consider the trade-offs involved with preloading, as it can use up bandwidth and other resources that may be needed for other purposes.
Related links
Google's New Ranking Factors: Core Web Vitals
How We Improved Core Web Vitals & What Correlations We Found [Case Study]
Page Speed: SEO Guide to Shorter Load Times