Google Core Web Vitals: what they are and how to improve your site in 2024

as search engines continue to prioritise user experience, Google’s core web vitals have become a key factor in website performance and SEO. core web vitals are metrics that evaluate a site’s loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability—essential components of a positive user experience. websites that perform well in these areas are more likely to rank higher in search results, making it essential for web developers, SEO experts, and business owners to understand and optimise for these metrics.

in this article, we’ll break down Google’s core web vitals, explain why they matter for website SEO in 2024, and offer practical tips for improvement.

what are Google core web vitals?

Google’s core web vitals are a set of standardised performance metrics designed to measure a website’s user experience. they include three specific metrics: Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS). together, these metrics give insight into how quickly a page loads, how soon it becomes interactive, and how stable the page layout is as it loads.

breakdown of core web vitals:

1. Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): measures loading performance, specifically the time it takes for the largest visible content element (such as an image or heading) to load. a good LCP score is 2.5 seconds or less.
2. First Input Delay (FID): assesses interactivity by measuring the time it takes for the browser to respond to the first user interaction, like a click or tap. a good FID score is less than 100 milliseconds.
3. Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): evaluates visual stability by measuring unexpected layout shifts as the page loads. a good CLS score is less than 0.1.

Google began factoring core web vitals into its ranking algorithms to promote user-friendly websites. these metrics are now a major influence on website SEO in 2024, with pages that meet core web vitals thresholds likely to enjoy better search visibility and user engagement.

why core web vitals matter for SEO

core web vitals are essential to SEO because they are directly linked to user experience, which is increasingly important to search engines like Google. when a site meets the standards for LCP, FID, and CLS, it delivers a smoother, faster, and more engaging experience for users, which positively impacts rankings.

how core web vitals affect SEO:

• higher rankings: Google rewards websites that provide a positive user experience by boosting their search rankings.
• lower bounce rates: fast-loading, stable websites reduce bounce rates, as users are less likely to leave a site that loads quickly and doesn’t shift unexpectedly.
• increased engagement and conversions: a site that’s easy to navigate and responsive keeps visitors engaged and encourages them to explore further, increasing the likelihood of conversions.

meeting core web vitals standards not only boosts SEO but also enhances the overall user experience, making it a win-win for website owners aiming for long-term digital success.

Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): optimising load times

Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) measures how long it takes for the main content of a page to load. for example, this metric assesses the time it takes for a large image or main heading to become visible. since users expect a site to load quickly, a slow LCP can result in users abandoning the page, negatively impacting engagement and SEO.

tips for improving LCP:

1. optimise images: compress and resize images to reduce load times. use modern image formats like webp, which are lighter and load faster without sacrificing quality.
2. enable lazy loading: lazy loading delays the loading of non-essential content (such as images below the fold) until the user scrolls down, reducing initial load time.
3. improve server response time: using a fast, reliable hosting provider and implementing caching can reduce server response times, speeding up the loading process.
4. use a content delivery network (CDN): CDNs distribute your site’s content across multiple servers, reducing the distance between the user and the server, which speeds up loading times.

a fast LCP improves the likelihood that users will stay on your site, reducing bounce rates and improving SEO performance.

First Input Delay (FID): improving interactivity

First Input Delay (FID) measures the time it takes for a page to respond to a user’s first interaction, such as clicking a button or entering text into a field. this metric reflects the interactivity of a page and indicates whether the user can immediately engage with the content.

tips for reducing FID:

1. minimise JavaScript execution: JavaScript can block the main thread, causing delays in user interaction. reducing or deferring non-critical JavaScript allows the browser to respond to user actions more quickly.
2. optimise third-party scripts: remove or delay the loading of third-party scripts (e.g., analytics, ads) to prevent them from slowing down page responsiveness.
3. use browser caching: caching allows users to access elements of the page without reloading every time, improving the speed of interactions.
4. prioritise essential code: ensure that crucial elements and scripts load first, so the user can interact with the main components of the page as soon as possible.

by reducing FID, you enhance the user’s experience by allowing them to interact with your page immediately, which can positively impact engagement and conversion rates.

Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): ensuring visual stability

Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) measures unexpected layout shifts as a page loads. for example, a layout shift occurs when content moves or “jumps” as the page is still loading, often causing users to lose track of what they were reading or accidentally click on the wrong link.

tips for reducing CLS:

1. set size attributes for images and videos: assign fixed width and height attributes to images and videos, so the browser allocates space for these elements and prevents unexpected shifts.
2. reserve space for ads: if your site displays ads, allocate a designated space to prevent layout changes when an ad loads.
3. avoid inserting content above existing content: avoid dynamically inserting new content (such as banners or notifications) above existing content, which can cause shifts. instead, place it below the fold or set a fixed location.
4. use CSS to lock layouts: CSS can help maintain the layout structure, preventing elements from moving unexpectedly as content loads.

ensuring a low CLS score improves the visual stability of your website, providing a smoother experience for users and reducing the frustration caused by unexpected layout changes.

conclusion: why prioritising core web vitals can boost your SEO

Google’s core web vitals metrics play a crucial role in determining a website’s user experience, which directly impacts its SEO performance. optimising for LCP, FID, and CLS helps create a fast, responsive, and visually stable site that improves engagement and keeps users coming back. as we move into 2024, focusing on these metrics will be essential for businesses that want to maintain their competitive edge in search engine rankings.

by prioritising core web vitals, businesses can improve SEO performance, increase user satisfaction, and build a website that meets Google’s evolving standards for quality and user experience.

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