Core Web Vitals Explained
Core Web Vitals are Google’s metrics for real-world user experience. They measure loading, interactivity and visual stability.
The three metrics
- LCP (Largest Contentful Paint) — loading. Aim for under 2.5 seconds.
- INP (Interaction to Next Paint) — responsiveness. Aim for under 200 ms. (INP replaced FID in 2024.)
- CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift) — visual stability. Aim for under 0.1.
Why it matters
Core Web Vitals are a confirmed (if small) ranking factor, and more importantly they affect conversions. A fast, stable page keeps users and earns more from the traffic you already have.
Pro tips
- Measure with PageSpeed Insights and Search Console’s Core Web Vitals report.
- Focus on field data (real users), not just lab scores.
- Fix your slowest, highest-traffic templates first.
Common mistakes
- Chasing a perfect lab score while real users still struggle.
- Ignoring CLS caused by images and ads without dimensions.
- Optimising the homepage but not the templates that get the traffic.
Summary
Core Web Vitals — LCP, INP and CLS — measure real user experience for loading, responsiveness and stability. They influence rankings and conversions.