How Important Are Core Web Vitals?

With Google incorporating core web vitals into its algorithm, understanding the importance is a key factor in having a strong SEO strategy. Core web vitals include three main components: largest contentful paint, interaction to next paint and cumulative layout shift. 

So, let’s discover what core web vitals are, why Google introduced them, how they affect SEO rankings, and why they matter as much as your content and backlinks. We’ll also show you how improving them can lead to better user engagement, more conversions, and a stronger online presence. 

Why did Google introduce core web vitals?

Google introduced Core Web Vitals in 2020 as part of its mission to improve the user experience across the web. These metrics were designed to make it easier to measure how well websites perform for  users. In May 2021, Core Web Vitals became an official ranking factor in Google’s search algorithm, meaning they now play a key role in how websites are ranked in search results.

Google wants websites to be fast, responsive and visually stable because better user experience means happy users. 

How much do Core Web Vitals impact SEO rankings?

Core web vitals have a small but important impact on SEO rankings. They measure how fast your website loads, how quickly it responds to clicks, and how stable the page is as it loads for the users. 

Google uses this data to help decide which website gives users the best experience. While great content and strong backlinks still carry more weight in rankings, having poor core web vitals can hold your site back, especially if your competitors have faster, smoother websites. 

Improving them can boost user satisfaction and help your pages perform better in search results. 

How important are core web vitals? – are they more important than backlinks or content? 

So, how important are core web vitals? While core web vitals are essential, they are just one piece of the optimisation puzzle. Backlinks and content are equally important in their own right.

Backlinks serve as endorsements for your website, indicating trust and authority to search engines. A strong packlink profile can significantly boost your site’s performance in search results and drive more organic traffic.

Content is also an important aspect of SEO, as long as it’s high quality and relevant. Content not only attracts users but also encourages them to stay and engage in your site. It provides valuable answers and addresses the needs of your audience. 

So, how do you balance all three of these elements? Well, the real key to effective website optimisation lies in balancing core web vitals, backlinks and content. 

While core web vitals ensure a seamless user experience, backlinks enhance credibility, and content delivers value. Prioritising one over the other could lead to an unbalanced strategy that might not lead to the required results for your business.

Do you need help balancing all of these SEO elements? Get in touch today to learn more about our SEO management services. 

How can improving core web vitals lead to better engagement and conversions?

Enhancing core web vitals is not just a technical requirement but an important step towards improving user experience. Here’s some top tips to increase your core web vitals:

1. Improved User Experience: Fast loading pages with responsive interactions and stable content layouts provide a good user experience for users. This, in turn, reduces bounce rates and keeps users on your site for longer, increasing the chances of engagement and conversions.
2. Enhanced Site Speed: Site speed is a critical factor in retaining users on a website. By optimising LCP, INP and CLS, you directly improve your site’s speed. Faster sites not only rank better on search engines but also provide a smoother browsing experience that users appreciate. You can check the speed of your site on Pagespeed insights.
3. Higher Search Engine Rankings: Google considers core web vitals as part of its ranking algorithm. Websites performing well in these metrics are more likely to rank higher in search results, driving user interaction and more organic traffic to your site. 

Our final thoughts

Core web vitals are an important part of building a successful SEO strategy. While they may not outweigh valuable content or strong backlinks, they work alongside them to give your users the best possible experience. 

By improving your site’s speed, stability, and responsiveness, you’re not just helping your rankings – you’re also making your website enjoyable to use. When users enjoy being on your site, they’re more likely to stay, engage, and covert. 

Need help getting started? Contact our team today and let’s improve your website to be faster, stronger, and more visible together.