In 2024, which factor had search rankings zooming faster than others?

Page speed significantly impacts user experience and, consequently, search rankings. Faster loading times reduce bounce rates and improve engagement, which search engines like Google prioritize. While social shares, domain age, and backlinks are all important SEO factors, improvements in page speed often yield more immediate and measurable gains in ranking, especially as user expectations for instant access continue to rise. Social shares are an indirect ranking factor, domain age is a long-term trust signal, and backlinks are crucial for authority, but page speed directly affects user satisfaction and is a confirmed ranking signal.