LiteSpeed Guestmode – An Optimization Feature That Misleads WordPress Users?

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Is LiteSpeed Guestmode actually a Cheatmode?

In this post, we analyze the LiteSpeed Guestmode, a feature of the LiteSpeed Cache Plugin for WordPress that promises high PageSpeed scores. After reading this analysis, you will understand why the LiteSpeed Guestmode doesn’t provide the expected benefits and why it actually cannot improve the PageSpeed score.

What is the LiteSpeed Guestmode?

To understand the LiteSpeed Guestmode, we first need to clarify what a "Guest" means in this context. LiteSpeed defines a "Guest" not just as an unregistered user but as a visitor who accesses a URL for the first time. After the initial page load and any subsequent page load within the same session, the user is no longer considered a "Guest." The Guestmode is controlled by a cookie (_lscache_vary) that remains active for two days. Within this period, the user is not treated as a "Guest" again, and the optimizations of the Guestmode do not apply.

How does the Guestmode work and why is it misleading?

The LiteSpeed Guestmode aims to load the first page request as quickly as possible. This is based on the understanding that the bounce rate increases the longer it takes for a page to load. In Guestmode, only the absolutely necessary static resources are loaded and further reduced by special Guest Optimizations.

Although the Guestmode is technically implemented correctly, the promise that a page will load faster because of it is misleading. The Guestmode only optimizes the display behavior of a page without reducing the loading time of resources (CSS, JavaScript). Even with the Guestmode activated, the loading time of a URL does not decrease. If a page takes 5 seconds to load without the Guestmode, it will still take 5 seconds with the Guestmode. A slow server remains slow, even with Guestmode.

Loading Time vs. Display Time

A common misunderstanding is equating loading time with display time. The loading time refers to downloading resources from the server. The display time, however, begins after all static resources have been loaded and covers the time the browser needs to render the page. LiteSpeed claims that the Guestmode will reduce the bounce rate by decreasing the loading time. In reality, the Guestmode can only affect the display time and has no impact on the actual loading time.

The Role of Caching

The most effective way to reduce the bounce rate is by using and maintaining an up-to-date cache. Only a cached page can be loaded quickly and provide the technical conditions for improved loading times.

Why does the PageSpeed Score increase with Guestmode?

Although the name PageSpeed suggests it measures loading time, Google PageSpeed actually measures display time – the time from the complete loading of resources until the page is rendered. Google does not manually load pages to test them; instead, it uses data collected from visitors via the Chrome browser.

The LiteSpeed Guestmode ensures that the first page load is highly optimized. In some cases, the page is even reloaded before it is fully displayed – a behavior that leads to a brief flicker. However, for PageSpeed tests, only the first highly optimized load is measured, not the reload. This results in a skewed test outcome that does not reflect the real user experiences reported by Chrome data.

Conclusion: The LiteSpeed Guestmode as a Marketing Tool

The LiteSpeed Guestmode claims to significantly improve the PageSpeed score with a unique optimization feature. In reality, it serves more as a marketing tool that helps LiteSpeed increase its reach and acceptance. Given the described functionality and the debunked promises, the LiteSpeed Guestmode can indeed be considered a "Cheatmode."