If you’re managing a website and wondering why your traffic isn’t growing or your rankings seem stuck, you’re not alone. Many site owners struggle to figure out what Google wants. Over the years, search engines have become more focused on user experience, and that’s where Core Web Vitals come into play.
In this guide, we’ll explain what Core Web Vitals are, why they matter, and what steps you can take to improve them without feeling like you need a computer science degree. Whether you’re running a blog, an eCommerce site, or a company page, this is essential stuff to know.
What Are Core Web Vitals?
Core Web Vitals are a set of specific factors that Google considers essential for a positive user experience. They’re part of Google’s broader “Page Experience” signals. Think of them as measurements that determine how fast, stable, and smooth your website feels when someone visits it.
Three main metrics make up Core Web Vitals:
1. Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)
LCP measures how long it takes for the largest visible element (like a banner image or main content block) to load on a page. Ideally, it should load within 2.5 seconds. If it takes longer, visitors may lose patience and leave.
2. First Input Delay (FID)
FID tracks how long it takes for your site to respond when a user first interacts with it. This could be clicking a button or a menu. You want this to be under 100 milliseconds so your site feels responsive.
3. Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)
CLS evaluates the stability of your page layout as it loads. Ever tried to click something and it shifts just before your finger lands? That’s a layout shift, and it’s frustrating. A CLS score of less than 0.1 is ideal.
Why Do Core Web Vitals Matter?
Google has made it clear: Core Web Vitals directly impact search rankings. That means if your site loads slowly, reacts sluggishly, or feels jumpy, it may get outranked by smoother websites, even if your content is solid.
And it’s not just about rankings. If your site is clunky, people bounce quickly. A high bounce rate sends signals to Google that your content isn’t valuable, even if it is. So yes, better user experience = better SEO.
We’ve worked with small business owners who had amazing content but still couldn’t climb the rankings. After a basic SEO audit, we found the culprit: poor Core Web Vitals. Once fixed, traffic started flowing in. Sometimes it really is that simple.
How To Measure Core Web Vitals
Thankfully, you don’t need to guess. Google provides several tools to check how your site is doing:
- PageSpeed Insights: A Free tool that scores your site and shows Core Web Vitals clearly.
- Lighthouse (via Chrome DevTools): Great for a more technical breakdown.
- Google Search Console: Has a dedicated “Core Web Vitals” report under the Experience tab.
These tools don’t just give you a grade. They explain what’s wrong, so you can act on it.
Simple Ways To Improve Your Core Web Vitals
Improving these metrics doesn’t require a complete website overhaul. Here are a few tried-and-tested methods you can start with.
1. Optimise Your Images
Images are often the biggest elements on a page. Make sure you:
- Compress them without losing quality
- Use modern formats like WebP
- Set correct dimensions so the browser doesn’t have to guess
2. Use a Fast, Reliable Hosting Provider
Your website’s performance depends a lot on your host. Shared hosting might be cheaper, but it can slow things down if you’re sharing with busy sites. Consider upgrading if your load times suffer.
3. Minimise JavaScript and CSS
Scripts can delay your site’s interactivity. Minify and defer unnecessary JavaScript. Tools like Autoptimize or WP Rocket (for WordPress) can help without you needing to code.
4. Implement Lazy Loading
Lazy loading delays the loading of images and videos until they are in the user’s viewport. This speeds up the initial page load and improves your LCP score.
5. Set Height and Width for Elements
Pre-defining space for elements (especially images and ads) helps reduce layout shifts, which in turn improves your CLS score.
6. Avoid Too Many Redirects
Every time a user is sent from one page to another, loading slows down. For example, using a 301 Redirect for broken pages is fine, but don’t overuse them. Keep your structure clean.
Core Web Vitals and SEO: How They Fit Together
You might be thinking, “Alright, sounds good, but how does this tie into my overall SEO strategy?”
Well, consider this: even if your content is gold, your site won’t shine on Google if it loads like a snail. Improving Core Web Vitals enhances user engagement, which indirectly boosts other ranking factors like dwell time and reduced bounce rate.
Plus, when you’re doing a proper SEO audit, Core Web Vitals should be a standard checkpoint alongside things like backlinks, internal linking, and keyword optimisation.
Creating Link-Worthy, User-Friendly Content
Let’s not forget: while performance matters, content is still king. But fast-loading, well-structured content is easier to consume and to share. High-performing pages are more likely to be featured in roundups or referenced in linkable assets, which earn you backlinks without outreach.
Imagine someone including your blog post in their newsletter simply because it loaded fast and looked professional. That’s the kind of passive boost performance gives.
Where Does Core Web Vitals Fit in Digital PR?
Good question. If you’re doing Digital PR, that is, reaching out to journalists, bloggers, and influencers to get coverage and backlinks, your website needs to hold up under scrutiny. Journalists won’t link to slow or unstable sites, and they’ll notice if your pages don’t load properly on mobile.
Improved Core Web Vitals make your site more trustworthy and shareable. They might not replace great storytelling, but they sure support it.
Conclusion On What Is Core Web Vitals
The good news is you don’t have to perfect every metric overnight. Start with your slowest pages or those that drive the most traffic. Even small improvements can make a difference.
Running a site today is about how your site feels to the people using it. Think of Core Web Vitals as your website’s hygiene. You brush your teeth every day, right? Well, check your load time too.
And if you ever feel stuck, talk to a developer or even a performance expert. Fixing these issues is totally doable, and the rewards are real. Need a hand with your website’s performance? Best SEO offers full Core Web Vitals optimisation, technical SEO, and expert insights tailored to your site.
Contact us today for a strategy session!
Frequently Asked Questions About What Is Core Web Vitals
What Are Core Web Vitals and Why Do They Matter?
Core Web Vitals are a set of metrics that measure how fast, stable, and responsive a website is. They matter because Google uses them as part of its ranking algorithm, and users expect fast, smooth experiences.
How Can I Check My Site’s Core Web Vitals?
You can use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, Search Console, or Lighthouse in Chrome DevTools. These tools highlight which areas need improvement and provide suggestions tailored to your website.
Do Core Web Vitals Affect SEO Rankings?
Yes, they are part of Google’s Page Experience update, which influences how your site ranks in search results. While they’re not the only factor, poor Core Web Vitals can hurt your visibility, especially if your competitors offer a better user experience.
Are Core Web Vitals Only Important for Desktop Users?
No, in fact, Google evaluates Core Web Vitals based on mobile performance first. With more users browsing on mobile devices, it’s critical that your site loads quickly and functions well across all screen sizes.
What’s the Easiest Way to Improve My Core Web Vitals?
Start by compressing large images, enabling lazy loading, and reducing unnecessary JavaScript. These changes often result in quick performance gains without needing a complete site redesign.
