Core Web Vitals are a set of three performance metrics that Google added to their ranking factors in mid-2021. They are a part of Google's Page Experience signals that look at website performance. So what exactly is CWV?
Google measures how fast the largest content element loads on the page. These content elements consist of things like images, videos or text. Your LCP should be less than 2.5 seconds to meet Google's benchmark. Anything slower will impact your page rankings.
FID measures the time the website takes to respond to a user's first interaction. This could mean a button or link click, keystroke, or other interactions. For best results, aim for an FID score of under 100 milliseconds. This is Google's sweet spot for site interactivity.
CLS represents the stability of your site as it loads. Ever try to click on something on a website only to have the page shift around on you? This is CLS, which measures unexpected shifts as the site loads. Websites should aim CLS down to 0.1 to meet Google standards.
Essentially, Google uses these metrics to measure the website's user experience. To see how your site performs, you can use Google's Page Speed Insights tool and/or GTmetrix. If your site does have issues, talk with your web developer to implement changes.
These signals are important but are a part of the 200+ ranking factors that Google uses. Great, well-optimised content that's relevant to your customer's search queries is still king. However, where several sites have similar content, page experience takes on more significance for visibility in Search.
If you want to learn more about Core Web Vitals and how you can improve yours. Check out our CWV webinar below!
Don't forget to check out our other SEO resources in the Marketing Association's Resource Hub.
Insight Online is a digital marketing agency based in Auckland, if you need a hand with SEO, don’t hesitate to contact us! We're always happy to help.