Core Web Vitals are a set of metrics defined by Google that measure the user experience on a website. They were introduced in 2020 to help webmasters and marketers ensure that their websites provide a good user experience, regardless of the device or connection being used. The three Core Web Vitals are Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS).
Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) measures loading performance and is defined as the time it takes for the largest image or text block visible within the viewport to fully load. An LCP that takes longer than 2.5 seconds can negatively impact the user experience and lead to higher bounce rates. To improve LCP, webmasters can minimize the size of the images and text blocks, as well as optimize the code and server response times.
First Input Delay (FID) measures interactivity and is defined as the time it takes for the website to respond to the first interaction from the user, such as a click or tap. An FID that takes longer than 100 milliseconds can negatively impact the user experience and lead to higher bounce rates. To improve FID, webmasters can optimize the code and reduce the amount of JavaScript on the page, as well as ensure the server response time is fast.
Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) measures visual stability and is defined as the sum of all layout shift scores for every unexpected layout shift that occurs during the entire lifespan of the page. A CLS score of more than 0.1 can negatively impact the user experience and lead to frustration. To improve CLS, webmasters can ensure that the page has a well-defined layout, that all images and videos have width and height attributes, and that any ads or pop-ups are properly managed.
Improving Core Web Vitals is essential for providing a good user experience, as well as for improving the visibility of a website in Google search results. Google has stated that Core Web Vitals will be a ranking factor in search results, meaning that websites with poor Core Web Vitals scores may be ranked lower in search results.
To assess the Core Web Vitals of a website, webmasters can use tools such as the Chrome User Experience Report, PageSpeed Insights, or Lighthouse. These tools provide detailed information on the Core Web Vitals, as well as recommendations on how to improve them.
Conclusion
In brief, Core Web Vitals are a set of metrics that measure the user experience on a website. They are important for providing a good user experience, as well as for improving the visibility of a website in Google search results. Improving Core Web Vitals requires a focus on loading performance, interactivity, and visual stability, and can be done using tools such as the Chrome User Experience Report, PageSpeed Insights, or Lighthouse. Webmasters and marketers should prioritize Core Web Vitals when optimizing their websites, as they play a critical role in the success of a website and its visibility in search results.
