What Are The Core Web Vitals?

Understanding core web vitals has become essential for anyone aiming to optimise their site for search engines. These metrics, introduced by Google, focus on user experience by measuring how fast, responsive, and stable a web page is. In this blog, we’ll dive into the core web vitals and how they impact SEO.  

What are core web vitals and why do they matter?

Core web vitals consist of three main components: largest contentful paint (LCP), Interaction to next paint (INP), and cumulative layout shift (CLS). Each plays a crucial role in determining the quality of user experience on your website. 

Core Web Vitals matter because they measure how fast, smooth, and stable a website feels for users. If a site loads quickly, responds instantly and doesn’t jump around while loading, people stay longer, engage more, and are less likely to leave frustrated. In fact, the 3.7%  difference in visibility we measured between fast and slow websites highlights just how crucial speed is for online success.

Google prioritises websites with good Core Web Vitals in search rankings, meaning better user experience can lead to more traffic and higher conversions. So, a fast, stable site keeps visitors happy and helps businesses grow. 

Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) 

LCP measures the time it takes for the largest content element to become visible within the viewport. Ideally, this should happen within 2.5 seconds. Faster load times enhance user satisfaction and reduce bounce rate, making it a vital component of site speed optimisation. 

For example, imagine you visit an online clothing store. The main image—a large banner showing the latest fashion collection—takes a few seconds to load. If this image appears within 2.5 seconds, the site has a good Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) score. But if it takes too long, users may get frustrated and leave before the page fully loads.

Interaction to Next Paint (INP)

INP evaluates a page’s responsiveness by tracking user interactions, such as clicking links, tapping buttons, or engaging with JavaScript-powered controls. It takes all interactions into account to measure overall performance.

For example, imagine you’re shopping online and click the “Add to Cart” button. If the button responds instantly and the cart updates quickly, the Interaction to Next Paint (INP) score will be low (which is good).

But if there’s a delay—maybe the button doesn’t seem to do anything for a second before updating—then the INP score will be high (which is bad).

Interaction to Next Paint (INP) officially replaced First Input Delay (FID) in March 2024. Unlike FID, which measured the delay for the first interaction, INP assesses the responsiveness of all interactions on a page. A good INP score is below 200 milliseconds.

Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)

CLS measures how much a page’s content moves while loading. A score below 0.1 is ideal. Reducing these shifts makes your site more stable and user-friendly.

For example, imagine you’re about to tap a “Buy Now” button, but just before you click, the page shifts, and you accidentally click on something else. This is a layout shift, and a high CLS score means this happens often. Keeping CLS low ensures a smoother and more user-friendly experience.

Get a free SEO audit today! Contact us now to ensure your website meets Google’s standards and delivers a seamless user experience.

Importance of Core Web Vitals in SEO

You may ask, how important are core web vitals? Well, Google has integrated core web vitals into its algorithm, meaning that sites with strong vitals scores are more likely to rank higher. This change underscores the importance of site speed optimisation and user experience in modern SEO strategies. 

As competition for top rankings increases, businesses must invest in performance improvements to maintain a strong online presence and maximise organic traffic potential.

Addressing Failed Core Web Vitals 

If your Core Web Vitals scores indicate issues, don’t worry! There are many ways to improve them. 

You can start by using Google’s PageSpeed Insights, or Lighthouse to diagnose issues. These tools provide detailed analysis and suggestions for improvements, focussing on elements like image optimisation, reducing server response time, and leveraging browser caching.

Alternatively, our SEO management team are here to help. 

Our final thoughts

Core Web Vitals play a crucial role in both user experience and SEO, making them essential for any website looking to perform well in search rankings. By improving LCP, INP, and CLS, businesses can create faster, more stable websites that keep visitors engaged and drive more conversions. If your site is struggling with Core Web Vitals, taking proactive steps—like using Google’s diagnostic tools or working with SEO experts—can make a significant difference. A well-optimised website isn’t just good for rankings; it’s great for your users too.

If you’re struggling with your SEO, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the ROAR team today for expert advice.