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The Basics of Google's Core Web Vitals

Matt Agnini • Jan 11, 2022

Core Web Vitals are currently a popular subject in the SEO world. One key reason for this is that, as part of the new page experience signals, Google Search will now use them as a ranking factor.


Photo of girls using computers.


The initial implementation began in mid-June of 2021 and is projected to be done before September. Furthermore, upgrading them improves the user experience.


If you're curious about what this means for your business, keep reading! This article will discuss the basics about Core Web Vitals are and why they're essential for your website.

What Are Core Web Vitals?

Google's Core Web Vitals are defined metrics that quantify the entire user experience of a webpage. These indicators, which measure user interaction and page speed, include largest contentful paint, first input delay, and cumulative layout shift. Here's a breakdown for each of these metrics:


  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)

    LCP is the time it takes for a web page to load through the perspective of a real user. To put it in another way, it measures the time from when you click a link to when you can view the content on your screen.

    LCP differs from other metrics for page speed, such as First Contextual Paint TTFP, as they don't always reflect what it's like to open a webpage for a user. When it comes to page speed, LCP emphasizes what matters: seeing and interacting with your page

    To provide a pleasant user experience, site owners need their web pages to load quickly. Furthermore, a page that loads swiftly has a better chance of ranking higher in Google. When compared against a page with poor loading times, one with quick load times influences engagement and conversion rates.

  • First Input Delay (FID)

    FID measures the delay between a user's input and the page's execution. Clicking links, pressing buttons, or tapping keys are a few examples of first inputs. FID is significant to Google because it examines real-world user interactions with websites.

    In other words, FID is a metric that represents how long it will take for anything to occur on a page. In that regard, it's a page speed score, but it goes a step further and counts the time it would take for people to do something on your website.

    To boost usability and engagement throughout the site, developers must decrease the time consumers wait for a browser to react to their input.

  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)

    This metric assesses the stability of your website while it is loading. To put it another way, if the contents on your page shift about while the page loads, you have a high CLS. As the website loads, you want the contents to be pretty stable. Users won't have to remember where links, images, and forms are once the webpage is fully loaded, and they won't accidentally click on something.

    A user can grow annoyed if a web page moves content while they are reading. Furthermore, UX and design are crucial aspects of a successful user experience. CLS aids developers in determining whether links or images on a webpage move, allowing site owners to optimize accessibility, increase click-through rates, and boost online sales.

Why Are Core Web Vitals Important?

Page experience is now an established Google ranking criterion. Because Core Web Vitals is now a ranking factor, websites that do not follow best practices will obtain lower rankings. Unique and relevant content is always a plus for SEO; however, Google will now consider how well consumers engage with your website. Additionally, an improved user experience results in more satisfied visitors and increased conversions; therefore, any user experience upgrades will pay off.



The Bottomline

When it comes to determining how to rank web pages, Google's algorithm is gradually shifting to a more user-centric perspective. According to the Core Web Vitals we've discussed in this article, Google will give points to websites that load quickly, have a short first input delay, and have good visual stability. The earlier you begin improving your website's user experience, the better your competitive edge will be.


To kickstart your website's optimization for Core Web Vitals, schedule a complimentary consultation with Advancify today! We are a team of SEO professionals that can help your company stay ahead in today's digital landscape.

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