Core Web Vitals — How To Be #1 On GOOGLE

Positioning a website in Google’s top results requires perfecting variables such as content, SEO strategies, and keeping the Core Web Vitals optimized.

But what are Core Web Vitals?

Core Web Vitals can help drastically improve SEO, so let’s learn how to create the perfect website with Core Web Vitals!

Optimization strategies usually focus on improving positions in Google search results, as it directly influences the amount of organic traffic a website can attract.

However, more than thinking about reaching the top positions, it is necessary to offer a better user experience, since the search engine’s objective is to reward sites that contribute to achieving this goal.

Core Web Vitals are Google’s key metrics for measuring how users experience a website. They focus on three areas: loading speed (Largest Contentful Paint, or LCP), responsiveness (Interaction to Next Paint, or INP), and visual stability (Cumulative Layout Shift, or CLS).

These metrics matter because they affect your site’s ranking on Google, user satisfaction, and even sales. A fast, smooth, and stable site keeps visitors happy and boosts your SEO.

What are Core Web Vitals?

The Core Web Vitals are a set of fundamental metrics that the Google algorithm evaluates to determine the level of usability of a website, being these the criteria that provide a good user experience.

We can define them as metrics that Google makes available to better analyze the visitor experience.

This definition can be translated as “main vital of a website” and can also be freely interpreted as “main web metrics” because they encompass the most important cores for the positioning of a page.

Core Web Vitals are three metrics Google uses to measure user experience on a webpage. They focus on how fast your site loads, how quickly it responds to user actions, and how stable it looks while loading. Here’s a breakdown:

• Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Measures how long it takes for the largest content element (like an image or text block) to load in the user’s view. For a good experience, LCP should be under 2.5 seconds for 75% of page loads. Example: On a blog, LCP tracks how fast the main article image appears. Slow LCP can frustrate users waiting for content.
• Interaction to Next Paint (INP): Measures how quickly a site responds to user actions like clicks or taps. A good INP is under 200 milliseconds. Example: When you click a button to submit a form, INP tracks how fast the site reacts. INP replaced First Input Delay (FID) in March 2024 because it measures all interactions, not just the first one.
• Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Measures how much page elements shift unexpectedly during loading. A good CLS score is below 0.1. Example: If an ad loads and pushes a button down, that’s a high CLS, annoying users trying to click. Stable pages keep elements in place.

Nowadays, with mobile browsing dominating, optimizing these metrics is more important than ever. These metrics began to gain greater importance in mid-May 2020 when Google announced to website owners that developing these areas of interest could significantly improve visitor experiences.

As a result, the Google team included Core Web Vitals in the search engine’s algorithm.

The intention was to unify the most important indicators for the algorithm because they are responsible for signaling the quality of a website. In this way, they will be able to analyze the different web pages without having to resort to multiple diagnostic tools or more complex metrics.

Additionally, Google’s algorithm evaluates other metrics to measure the overall experience offered by the website on other platforms and browsers.

Therefore, Core Web Vitals also influence other ranking factors that have been taken into account by the algorithm for years, these being: compatibility with mobile devices, use of HTTPS protocol, secure browsing, and non-invasive interstitial ads.

After the announcement in 2020, all these factors were unified to evaluate the experience of the pages, in addition to being combined with the other elements that influence web positioning to improve search results.

Therefore, it is essential to remember that web pages that present quality content and high value for users will obtain a better ranking, despite other sites boasting a better user experience.

Google Metrics: Origin of Core Web Vitals

When announcing this new measure in early May 2020, the search engine stated that the new guidelines would begin to be implemented gradually, because, after quarantine, websites needed more time to adapt.

Subsequently, Google stated that the algorithm would begin to be used partially in June 2021, to complete its implementation in September of the same year.

Currently, the metrics present in the Core Web Vitals are evaluated by Google’s algorithm, so it is essential to pay attention to them and make the appropriate changes to achieve a better position in search results.

Importance of Core Web Vitals

According to a report issued by Google, if a website improves Core Web Vitals metrics, its visitors are 25% less likely to abandon a page. Consequently, the chances of increasing the level of engagement and conversions are increased.

These facts point to the importance of Core Web Vitals for improving SEO strategies and obtaining better business results. Additionally, these metrics provide benefits for all parties involved:

Core Web Vitals are crucial for three main reasons:

• Better User Experience: Fast-loading, responsive, and stable pages keep visitors happy. Google says sites meeting CWV standards have a 24% lower chance of users leaving early. For example, a quick-loading online store makes shopping enjoyable, keeping customers on your site longer.
• Improved SEO Rankings: Since 2021 for mobile and 2022 for desktop, Google uses CWVs as a ranking factor. Good scores can boost your site’s position in search results, driving more traffic. In 2025, with 70% of users browsing on mobile, optimizing CWVs is key to staying visible.
• Higher Conversions: Fast and smooth sites lead to more sales. For instance, an e-commerce site with low LCP and INP can reduce cart abandonment and increase purchases. Good CWVs signal to users that your site is reliable and professional.

These three advantages combined will be the key to improving web positioning in Google SERPs, as it encompasses the elements most analyzed by the search engine.

It is not a novelty that Google takes into consideration the speed within the Core Web Vitals, but it is striking the importance of providing a quick response to visitor interactions.

On the other hand, it is important to stay informed about Google’s algorithm updates and the search engine’s intentions, so that you can keep your sites at the forefront of new features.

Metrics included in the Core Web Vitals

The Core Web Vitals encompass the main on-page experience factors as users access and interact with content. It is critical to understand how each metric works:

1. Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)

LCP, translated as “the best content impression”, is the metric in charge of measuring the speed with which a web page loads its content completely for the visitor.

It replaces the previously used metrics: First Contentful Paint (FCP), which measured only the speed at which the first page loads, and First Meaningful Paint (FMP), which targeted the home page.

Therefore, LCP calculates the loading speed by total rendering time, up to the instant when the heaviest elements (videos, images, or texts) appear on the visitor’s screen because these are considered to be the main content of the page.

In other words, it calculates the time it takes for a web page to load or render its heaviest element.

Likewise, the time analyzed can be affected by factors such as server speed, if JavaScript blocks rendering, CSS, resource cache, and if the page has non-optimized images, among others.

On the other hand, when performing an LCP analysis, it is important to pay attention to the indicator it indicates, since it will determine the number of visitors that stay or leave your website.

Google recommends that the Largest Contentful Paint be kept below 2.5 seconds.

Likewise, the search engine points out that a website whose LCP remains between 2.5 and 4 seconds needs improvement, while a website longer than 4 seconds can mean a considerable loss of visitors.

2. Interaction to Next Paint (INP)

Interaction to Next Paint (INP) measures how quickly a webpage responds to user actions like clicking a button, tapping a link, or typing in a form. It tracks the time from when you interact to when the page visually updates (e.g., a button changes color or a new page loads).

Unlike First Input Delay (FID), which only measured the first interaction, INP considers all interactions on a page, giving a fuller picture of responsiveness. For a good user experience, INP should be under 200 milliseconds for at least 75% of page visits.

For example, when you click “Add to Cart” on an online store, a low INP means the cart updates almost instantly, keeping you engaged

Why INP Matters

A high INP can frustrate users, making your site feel sluggish. If clicking a menu takes too long to respond, visitors might leave, especially on mobile devices, which account for over 70% of web traffic in 2025.

Google uses INP as a Core Web Vital to rank sites, so a good score can boost your SEO. For instance, a fast-responding blog keeps readers clicking through articles, while a slow one drives them away.

INP replaced FID in March 2024 because it better reflects overall user experience across multiple interactions.

How to Improve INP

Here are practical ways to make your site more responsive and lower INP:

• Reduce JavaScript Load: Heavy JavaScript can slow down responses. Use tools like Lighthouse to find and minimize long-running scripts. For example, split large scripts into smaller tasks to keep the browser responsive.
• Optimize Event Handlers: Ensure buttons and forms respond quickly. Avoid complex code in click handlers. For instance, streamline the code for a search button to show results faster.
• Use Efficient Rendering: Prioritize critical tasks to avoid delays. Techniques like debouncing can prevent multiple rapid clicks from overloading the browser.
• Test with Tools: Measure INP using Google Search Console, PageSpeed Insights, or the web-vitals JavaScript library. These tools show which pages need work and suggest fixes. For example, PageSpeed Insights can highlight slow interactions on a checkout page.

By keeping INP low, you create a snappy, enjoyable experience that encourages users to stay and boosts your site’s ranking.

3. Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)

CLS, translated as “cumulative layout shift”, is responsible for measuring the visual stability of web pages, using the frequency and severity of unplanned changes in page layout.

In other words, it calculates the stability of the resources that are being modified as other elements are loaded, analyzing the layout changes, the distance at which the element is moved, and the area occupied by the affected resources.

In most cases, it happens when visitors are about to click on a button, but a heavy element is loaded and changes the position of the button, causing them to click where they do not want to.

Although it may seem like a minor thing, things like this can be annoying and sometimes cause problems.

Generally, these changes are due to the fact that the elements present in the web pages are loaded asynchronously or have dynamic configurations to adapt according to the context.

In other words, heavier elements can cause unexpected movements that interrupt or hinder the page experience.

In this vein, Google recommends measuring CLS to establish a design change score.

To achieve this, it is necessary to multiply the Impact Fraction, which measures how the unstable element impacts the user’s view, and the Distance Fraction, which measures how much the element has moved within the design.

For the search engine, the recommended CLS score on pages should be below 0.1, between 0.1 and 0.25 would indicate that improvements are needed, while above 0.25 would reveal that users are having a bad experience because of so many sudden changes.

Also, there are elements that negatively influence CLS results: dynamically loaded content, images without defined height and width, banners, advertising, and ads.

How to Improve Core Web Vitals

Improving Core Web Vitals makes your site faster, more responsive, and stable. Here are practical tips for each metric:

• Optimize Largest Contentful Paint (LCP):
  • Upgrade Your Hosting: Choose a fast web host to reduce server response time. A good host can cut LCP by hundreds of milliseconds.
  • Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN): CDNs store your content closer to users, speeding up load times. For example, Cloudflare’s CDN can improve LCP globally.
  • Optimize Images: Compress images and use modern formats like WebP. Avoid lazy-loading images above the fold, as it can slow LCP.
  • Minimize Server Response Time: Reduce server delays by optimizing database queries and enabling caching.
• Improve Interaction to Next Paint (INP):
  • Reduce JavaScript Load: Minimize heavy JavaScript tasks that block responsiveness. Use tools like Lighthouse to identify long tasks.
  • Optimize Event Handlers: Ensure buttons and links respond quickly to clicks. For example, streamline code for form submissions.
  • Use Efficient Code: Break up long JavaScript tasks into smaller ones to keep the main thread free for user interactions.
• Minimize Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS):
  • Set Image Dimensions: Always specify width and height for images and videos to prevent layout shifts.
  • Reserve Ad Space: Predefine space for ads to avoid content jumping when they load.
  • Avoid Dynamic Content: Don’t insert new content above existing elements unless triggered by user action.
• Tools to Monitor and Fix CWVs:
  • Google Search Console: Check your site’s CWV performance for mobile and desktop. It groups URLs by issues, making fixes easier.
  • PageSpeed Insights: Test individual pages for LCP, INP, and CLS, with lab and field data.
  • Cloudflare Web Analytics: Offers detailed CWV insights, especially for sites using Cloudflare’s network.
  • DebugBear: Combines real-user data and lab tests, with notifications for performance drops.

How to Measure and Monitor Core Web Vitals

To improve Core Web Vitals, you need to measure and track them regularly. Here’s how to do it with free tools:

• Google Search Console: Go to the “Core Web Vitals” report to see how your site performs on mobile and desktop. It shows URLs grouped by status (Good, Needs Improvement, Poor) and highlights issues to fix.
• PageSpeed Insights: Enter a URL to get detailed LCP, INP, and CLS scores, plus optimization suggestions. It combines real-user data (from Chrome User Experience Report) and lab data.
• Chrome User Experience Report (CrUX): Provides real-user data for your site’s CWVs. Access it via BigQuery or tools like PageSpeed Insights for aggregated 28-day data.
• Uptrends Free CWV Tool: Offers a quick check of your site’s CWV scores with visual reports and optimization tips.
• Web Vitals JavaScript Library: Add this to your site to measure CWVs in real-time. It’s lightweight and works with analytics tools.

Tips for Monitoring:

• Check CWVs monthly, as data updates every 28 days.
• Test both mobile and desktop, as mobile performance is critical now.
• Set up alerts (e.g., via DebugBear) to catch performance drops early.

Wrapping up!

Core Web Vitals—LCP, INP, and CLS—are essential for creating a fast, responsive, and stable website. By optimizing these metrics, you improve user experience, boost SEO rankings, and increase conversions. Start by measuring your site’s performance with tools like Google Search Console and PageSpeed Insights.

Then, apply the tips above to fix issues like slow loading or layout shifts. Keep monitoring your CWVs, as Google updates these metrics over time (like replacing FID with INP in 2024). A well-optimized site in will keep you ahead of competitors and delight your visitors.