Today there is some interesting news from Google: site speed is a factor in Google search ranking algorithms.

photo by jurvetson on Flickr

While relevant, keyword-rich content is still the biggest weapon in your search for great search rankings, I think it’s interesting (and encouraging) that other elements of user experience are factoring in. Google doesn’t just want you to find what you’re looking for, they want you to find it quickly and easily. It’s also a strong nod to growing traffic from mobile devices.

Over time, search is getting smarter. This development is just more evidence of the growing importance of content strategy. Companies must evaluate what customers want to learn and what they want to do. They’ll need to organize and design accordingly, and maybe cut some dead weight.

Do you need that Flash intro? More importantly, do your visitors need it?