I saw this on the techradar.com website on Monday 16th.  It looks as if it is clearing up the confusion and then confirms, in the last paragraph, that the confusion still exists.  But useful as it does mean that if it isn't already, then speed will be an issue for 2010.

Google has stated it is considering using the speed which a website loads in its search algorithms, with slower sites set to be pushed further down the results page in favour of quicker ones.

Google's Matt Cutts revealed the news in an interview with WebPro, admitting that 'a lot of people' within the company favoured adding a speed factor into the way in which a page is ranked.

"We're starting to think more and more about should speed be a factor in Google's rankings," said Cutts

A good experience

"Historically, we haven't used it in our search rankings, but a lot of people within Google think that the web should be fast - it should be a good experience," he added.

"So it's fair to say if you are a fast site maybe you should get a little bit of a bonus and if you're a slow site then, you know, users don't want that as much."

Already a factor?

The speed of a website and the way in which it is affected by Google rankings is already a hot topic on the web, with .Net editor Dan Oliver explaining to TechRadar that many believed it was already a factor.

"It's great to hear that speed is going to play a part in Goggle's algorithm for 2010, but we think it may have been a factor for some time.

"In fact, Google's communication and public affairs department told .net magazine months ago that 'all other things being equal, it's fair to say that a speedy site will rank better'."