Google core web vitals title

Your Core Web Vitals are The Next Search Ranking Factor2 min read

August 31, 2020

Earlier this year, Google announced its plan to use core web vitals as a ranking factor in 2021.

So, what are “Core Web Vitals”? They are how Google scores the load speed of your website’s pages.

  • Site Load Speed
  • Responsiveness
  • Visual Stability

Each of these “vitals” is linked to measurable elements:

hourglass icon
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) – measures how quickly a web page loads and displays all its visual elements and content. LCP reports render time from the largest element on the site.
  • First input Delay (FID) – measures interactivity between your site visitor’s first interaction to when your web browser begins processing that interaction (like a button click, or video play).
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) – measures how often unexpected content or layout shifts occur (like when you go to click on a link but the page shifts and you end up on a different link).

To learn about LCP, FID, and CLS in detail, go here.

If you’re curious about your page site speeds, you can use this free PageSpeed Insights tool to analyze site speed performance and learn ways to improve your site.

Let’s Talk!

These metrics all play a part in the user experience, which is Google’s main concern when ranking sites. Have a site that is a pleasant experience for your visitors, and you’re more likely to rank higher than a competitor who has a site that’s slower to load, has odd page shifts, renders images at varying speeds, etc. Your site should be mobile-friendly, secure (https), and free of intrusive interstitials, too.

Organic search engine optimization (SEO) is another way to boost your site’s chances for a better search page rank. If you have useful, relevant content on your website, users are more likely to visit it. If users are clicking through to your page and everything they need, that helps prove your site’s authority. Improved site authority means better search engine ranking (setting off a circuitous pattern of reward from Google and other search engines).

Sharp Innovations can help you implement website remediations that can improve your Core Web Vitals and SEO.  Schedule a free consultation to learn more about our digital marketing and web design solutions.