Have you heard of Core Web Vitals? 2021 brought about Google’s Page Experience algorithm. Since June, Google started ranking pages based on a sites’ core web vital scores.
What Does Page Experience Mean?
Page Experience is all about what visitors to a website think of their interaction with it. Google defines Page Experience as:
“…a set of signals that measure how users perceive the experience of interacting with a web page beyond its pure information value. It includes Core Web Vitals, which is a set of metrics that measure real-world user experience for loading performance, interactivity, and visual stability of the page. It also includes existing Search signals: mobile friendliness, HTTPS, and intrusive interstitial guidelines.”
Google’s intention is to deliver the highest quality websites to those conducting searches. This is to ensure everyone receives the best search experience. The aim is to keep users searching via Google to ensure they maintain their ad revenue.
Understanding Core Web Vitals
Core Web Vitals – sounds complex, right? Let us break down the metrics and simplify what it means.
Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)
Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)LCP measures page speed. This is the time it takes for the page’s largest content element (the main content) to load. The ideal loading time is 2.5 seconds or less.
A poor LCP can be caused by:
- Slow server response time
E.g. The time it takes for a browser to receive information from your website’s server or host.
- Render blocking Javascript and CSS code
E.g. Unnecessary code that slows down how quickly your site can load.
- Slow resource load times
E.g. Images or videos on your site that load slowly.
By making your website faster you can improve your LCP. It’s recommended to enlist an expert to help boost the page speed of your site. If you have some technical know-how you can make improvements to the speed of a page by:
- Removing sliders and background images.
- Compressing images using tools like tinypng.com.
- Moving videos lower down the page.
- Use text at the top of a page rather than an image.
First Input Delay (FID)
FID measures the responsiveness of a page. This is the delay between clicking a link, checking a box, selecting a dropdown and how long it takes for the page to become interactive. The delay should be less than 100 ms.
FID scores are affected when a site is trying to complete one task, a user clicks to carry out another and the site can’t respond quick enough to the required action.
By improving the speed of your website you can enhance your site’s FID. Audit plugins and remove any that your site isn’t making use of. Plugins that are only used occasionally can be deactivated until you need them. It’s advisable to discuss the optimisation of Javascript and CSS with an expert to avoid disrupting your website’s functionality and appearance.
Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)
Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)CLS measures visual stability. This is a measure of how often things shift on your page while it is loading. The desired CLS for any webpage is less than 0.1.
Optimising your CLS will require the support of a developer with technical expertise. To be honest though, based on the developers we’ve spoken to, most of the issues with CLS seem to be of Google’s making. As Core Web Vitals become more vital, developers will adapt to incorporate these new ideas in the way they come to develop websites.
How To Check Your Core Web Vitals
If you have a Google Search Console account, you can check out how your website performs there. Alternatively, carry out a Page Insights search to learn more about the page speed and recommendations for your site.
Writeable – SEO Content Writers Buckinghamshire
So there you have it. Google’s latest algorithm explained. We are Writeable by Cyber Sushi Design, content writers based in Buckinghamshire, creating writing to rank… content to connect for our clients across the UK. We create informative blog posts, website content, SEO content and so much more to boost the online presence of your brand. For more information contact us on 07814 655 438.
