Latency (sometimes called ping) is maybe even more important than raw internet speed in determining your gaming experience.
Your internet speed refers to how much data can be transmitted through your connection per second. Speed is determined by your internet service provider and it greatly affects download speeds and loading times.
Latency, on the other hand, refers to how quickly information can be sent from your device to the server, and then be returned back to your device. A latency or ping of 100 ms means it’s taking 100 milliseconds from the time you touch a button on your control until it is registered by the actual server.
So when you’re playing a shooter, let's say Apex Legends, high latency can mean that even though it looks like you’re beaming an enemy player with your R-301, you’re actually missing because they’ve moved by the time the server registers your actions.
You can have super fast internet but still have high latency (and visa versa) due to a faraway server or a poor internet connection. One of the best things you can do to reduce latency in your game is to connect your gaming console or PC directly to your modem with an Ethernet cord. If you must use a Wi-Fi network, get as close to the router as possible.
You can also try disconnecting other devices from your Wi-Fi router, switching to a closer server in the game, and lowering your game graphics settings.