What are Core Web Vitals?

Core Web Vitals are a group of specified metrics identified by Google as critical to a webpage’s overall user experience. These metrics rely on three main aspects: loading performance, interactivity, and visual stability.

The Core Web Vitals are:

  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Measures loading performance. It marks the point at which the largest content element in the viewport is fully visible. A good LCP score is 2.5 seconds or less.
  • First Input Delay (FID): Measures interactivity. It counts the time between when a user first interacts with a page (e.g., clicking a link or touching a button) and when the browser starts processing that interaction. An excellent FID score is under 100 milliseconds.
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Measures visual stability. It calculates the sum of all unexpected layout shifts that happen during the whole lifespan of the page. A good CLS score is less than 0.1.

Why Are the Core Web Vitals Important?

Core Web Vitals are crucial for several reasons:

1. Enhanced User Experience

Websites that load quickly, respond swiftly to user interactions and maintain visual stability offer a better user experience. This may lead to higher engagement, longer session durations, and increased user satisfaction.

2. Improved Search Rankings

Google uses Core Web Vitals as ranking signals. Websites that meet these performance thresholds have higher possibilities to rank in search results, increasing visibility and organic traffic.

3. Reduced Bounce Rates

Fast-loading and stable websites are less likely to frustrate users, reducing the likelihood of them leaving the site prematurely. This helps in maintaining lower bounce rates and higher retention rates.

What Core Web Vitals Are Good?

To ensure optimal performance and user experience, aim for the following benchmarks:

  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Aim for an LCP of 2.5 seconds or less.
  • First Input Delay (FID): Aim for an FID of less than 100 milliseconds.
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Aim for a CLS of less than 0.1.

Meeting these benchmarks ensures that your site provides a fast, responsive, and visually stable experience for users.

How to Check Your Site’s Core Web Vitals Performance

There are several tools available to check and monitor your site’s Core Web Vitals:

1. Google Page Speed Insights

This tool provides detailed reports on your site’s performance and offers suggestions for improvement. It specifically highlights Core Web Vitals metrics.

2. Google Search Console

The Core Web Vitals report in Search Console shows how your pages perform based on real-world data from the Chrome User Experience Report.

3. Lighthouse

An open-source tool that audits your site’s performance, accessibility, and SEO, including Core Web Vitals.

4. Web Vitals Extension

A Chrome extension that provides instant feedback on the Core Web Vitals for any page you visit.