SEO
Core Web Vitals
Quick definition
Core Web Vitals are a set of Google-defined user-experience metrics measuring loading performance (LCP), interactivity (INP), and visual stability (CLS).
Introduced as a ranking signal in 2021, Core Web Vitals are part of Google's Page Experience signals. They're measured from real users' Chrome data via the CrUX dataset.
Why Core Web Vitals matters
While the ranking impact per page is modest, poor CWV scores can suppress rankings across an entire site, especially when other quality signals are also weak.
How Core Web Vitals works in practice
Track CWV in Search Console's Core Web Vitals report and PageSpeed Insights. Prioritize fixes on templated pages that affect many URLs at once.
Best practices
- Optimize hero images and fonts for LCP.
- Reduce JavaScript main-thread work for INP.
- Reserve image and ad space to prevent layout shift.
- Measure real-user data, not just lab tests.
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Related terms
LCP (Largest Contentful Paint)
LCP is a Core Web Vitals metric measuring how long it takes for the largest visible element above the fold to render.
CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift)
CLS is a Core Web Vitals metric measuring unexpected layout shifts that occur as a page loads, scored from 0 (perfect) to higher (worse).
INP (Interaction to Next Paint)
INP is a Core Web Vitals metric measuring how quickly a page responds to user interactions, replacing First Input Delay (FID) in 2024.
Page Speed
Page speed is how fast a webpage loads and becomes interactive — a key user experience signal and a confirmed (modest) Google ranking factor.