How Does Google Uses Site Load Time in Ranking Search Results?

Here are the steps which may happen whenever a search query is entered on Google:

Step 1: Search query is received from a particular search device.


Step 2: Calculates “first score” based on the relevancy of the resource based on the search query.


Step 3: Calculates load time data for each of the resource based on the loading time the resource takes to load on the users device.


Step 4: Generates a “second score” based on the measured load time of the resource and adjusts the ranking of the resources accordingly.

Hence, this patent suggests that Google firstly measures the time a resource takes to load on the users device and adjusts the final ranking of the resource. Thereby indicating that the rankings are device dependant.

 Further Reading:

http://www.seobythesea.com/2014/02/googles-patent-site-speed-ranking-signal/
http://searchengineland.com/google-now-counts-site-speed-as-ranking-factor-39708
http://moz.com/blog/how-website-speed-actually-impacts-search-ranking

Also See:

Google Page Speed Suggestions
Page Speed Important for Improving Search Engine Rankings
Seo Best Practices
Seo Secrets
How to Make Your Website More User Friendly