This archive report was first published on 12 November 2019.
Google Chrome, one of the world's most popular web browsers, is taking a new approach to tackle slow-loading websites. In a move to streamline users' web browsing experience, Google Chrome is testing a feature that flags slow-loading websites with a badge of shame.
According to a Chromium blog post published on November 12, 2019, Google plans to introduce a badge of shame for websites that load slowly on the browser. The badge would be shown when visiting websites to inform users which sites load quickly and warn them which sites take ages to load.
Google will look at a webpage's historical loading data to determine which sites take time to load and flag them. Chrome will also explore the possibility of identifying webpages based on information derived from device hardware or network connectivity.
The intention behind this feature is to motivate developers to speed up page-load times. Google is hoping that its unique shaming technique will encourage developers to optimize their websites for faster loading times.
While the exact criteria for receiving a badge of shame have not been detailed, Google has noted that they would be based on historical load latencies. The search giant is still contemplating on how to label sites with long loading times, with one possible approach being to simply badge the site with the words 'usually loads slow'.
As noted by The Verge, Google will likely look to developers for feedback before launching the feature. This means that developers who know they will be affected by this should start working on their website before it gets a badge of shame.
