"Are the results from Lighthouse being utilized by Google in determining rankings?"
Yes, a good Google Lighthouse score is generally considered a positive factor for SEO and website performance. While Google has not publicly confirmed that Lighthouse scores directly impact search rankings, there’s strong evidence suggesting that a good score contributes indirectly to improved SEO:
- Lighthouse metrics directly correlate with factors that Google prioritizes: Core Web Vitals, page speed, and mobile-friendliness are all assessed by Lighthouse and are known to be important ranking signals.
- Improved user experience leads to better engagement: Lighthouse helps identify and fix issues that negatively impact user experience, such as slow loading times or poor mobile responsiveness. Better user experience can lead to higher engagement and lower bounce rates, which are positive signals for search engines.
- Faster loading speeds result in higher rankings: Page speed is a crucial ranking factor, and Lighthouse’s performance audits help identify and fix issues that slow down your website.
- Lighthouse scores are a useful benchmark for website optimization: Even if not directly factored into rankings, Lighthouse scores provide valuable insights into your website’s performance and help you prioritize improvements.
Therefore, while the direct impact of Lighthouse scores on rankings is unclear, focusing on the areas highlighted by Lighthouse can significantly contribute to a better user experience and improved SEO.