We understand that technical phrases like “Core Web Vitals” might make you want to close your laptop. But beyond the jargon, these metrics are just about ensuring your website is a good experience for the people behind the screens.
On average, people give online content about 15 seconds to win them over before they walk away.
Core Web Vitals are how Google measures whether your website is capturing people’s attention in that window, and if not, why not.
Let’s break down what these SEO metrics are and how to make sure they’re working to your advantage.
What Are Core Web Vitals?
Core Web Vitals are a set of three SEO metrics that measure speed and usability, which Google uses to score your website’s user experience.
Core Web Vitals focus on three main questions:
- How fast does the main content load?
- How quickly does the page react when I click something?
- Does the page layout jump around unpredictably while loading?
The Big Three SEO Metrics
Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) – The Loading Speed Metric
LCP measures how long it takes for the largest visual element on your page (usually a main hero image or a heading) to render on the screen.
From the user’s perspective, this is the “How long do I have to stare at a blank screen?” metric. A slow LCP means they will likely click away before they even see your brilliance.
How to improve your LCP
- Compress your images: Large, unoptimised images are the number one cause of slow loading times.
- Upgrade your hosting: A fast, high-quality hosting provider makes a massive difference in response times.
- Remove unused plugins: If your site is built on a platform like WordPress, deactivate any heavy tools you aren’t actively using.
Interaction to Next Paint (INP) – The Responsiveness Metric
INP measures how quickly your website responds when someone interacts with it, for example, by clicking a menu button or submitting a contact form.
If a user clicks something on your website and nothing happens, they’ll give up. Your website should provide instant visual feedback.
How to improve your INP
- Reduce heavy JavaScript: Complex code can slow the browser’s response to clicks.
- Defer non-essential scripts: Load tools like tracking pixels or third-party chat widgets after the main page has become interactive.
Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) – The Visual Stability Metric
CLS measures how much the elements on your page jump or shift while the page loads.
Have you ever been about to click a link, then the page suddenly shifts because an ad or image loaded late, so you click the wrong thing? It’s frustrating and often results in closed tabs.
How to improve your CLS
- Set size dimensions: Always define specific width and height attributes for images and media in your website’s code.
- Reserve space for dynamic content: If you use banners, cookie notices, or ads, pre-allocate space for them so they don’t push other content down when they appear.
How to Track Core Web Vitals
You can track Core Web Vitals for free using Google Search Console.
Inside your Google Search Console dashboard, you will find a dedicated Core Web Vitals tab.
This report gathers data from real users visiting your website on mobile and desktop.
Google Search Console will group your pages into three categories:
- Poor: Pages that need immediate attention.
- Needs Improvement: Pages that are okay but could be better.
- Good: Pages that are working well.
If Google Search Console flags an issue, it will tell you which metric (LCP, INP, or CLS) is struggling and on which URLs, so you can hand a precise list to your web developer (or tackle it yourself) without wasting time hunting for the problem.
Need Help with Core Web Vitals?
We aim to explain technology in a simple, accessible way, but if all of this still sounds like a foreign language, why not let us take the metrics off your to-do list?
Get in touch to find out how we can help you with your Core Web Vitals and make sure your website delivers a seamless digital experience to every visitor.
