Yes, Google considers page speed as a ranking factor in its search algorithm. In fact, in 2010, Google announced that it would begin considering site speed as a ranking factor for desktop searches, and in 2018, it extended this to mobile searches as well with the “Speed Update.” Google emphasizes that a slow page speed can negatively impact a web page’s ranking, as it affects the user experience. That said, while it’s crucial, it’s also one of many factors that Google uses to determine a page’s ranking.