The Core Web Vitals Impact on SEO: Everything You Need to Know
What if we told you there's a way to boost your website's SEO, and it's not just about keywords and content? Welcome to the world of Core Web Vitals - Google's latest ranking factors that are all about user experience. But what are they, and how do they impact SEO? Let's delve in.
What Are Core Web Vitals?
The Core Web Vitals are a set of metrics related to speed, responsiveness, and visual stability. They consist of Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS).
Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)
LCP measures how long it takes for the main content on a page to load - the faster, the better. An ideal LCP is 2.5 seconds or faster.
First Input Delay (FID)
FID measures the time from when a user first interacts with your page (like clicking a link) to when the browser can respond to that interaction. An ideal FID is less than 100 milliseconds.
Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)
CLS measures how much the content on your page shifts during loading. A low CLS (less than 0.1) ensures your page is visually stable.
How Do Core Web Vitals Impact SEO?
With the recent Page Experience Update, Google has made it clear that user experience is a significant factor in their ranking algorithm. This means that if your site has poor Core Web Vitals, it could negatively impact your SEO.
Page Experience Update
In May 2021, Google rolled out the Page Experience Update, which includes Core Web Vitals as ranking factors. This update emphasises the importance of mobile optimisation and secure browsing, alongside Core Web Vitals.
Mobile Optimisation
Mobile optimisation is now more crucial than ever, with Google switching to mobile-first indexing. This means Google predominantly uses the mobile version of the content for indexing and ranking.
Improving Your Core Web Vitals
Improving your Core Web Vitals can lead to better user experience, higher engagement, and potentially, a boost in your SEO. Here are some ways to improve your Core Web Vitals:
- Optimise your images: Large images can slow down your LCP. Make sure your images are the right size and format.
- Minimise third-party scripts: These can significantly delay your FID.
- Use CSS aspect ratio boxes: This can prevent unexpected layout shifts and improve your CLS.
Wrap Up
In an era where user experience is king, understanding and optimising your Core Web Vitals can give you an edge in SEO. Remember, a good website is not just about content and keywords, but also about how users perceive its performance.
