Web Vitals for SEO

Google will introduce a new standard to its ever-evolving algorithm that will affect all site owners, content creators, and SEO.

Web Vitals as they are known, are not new to established webmasters. In fact, they are the basic standard in which all content is is created. While most webmasters are often only focused on keyword optimization –  core web vitals are a part of the on-page experience, which is increasingly important to Google.

Today – I will explain core web vitals and how they will affect SEO.

 

core web vitals

What are Core Web Vitals?

Core web vitals might (might because you can never be sure with google) become a big ranking factor in the future.  The reasons behind this are simple – if you are creating quality content and are considering user intent, you will naturally meet the standards of core web vitals.

If you are already giving your visitors a quality page experience,  then you well on your way. Therefore core web vitals is just another metric that measures page experience. Google has come up with criteria that webmasters have to meet.

Core Web Vitals

Largest Contentful Paint

This has nothing to do with paint but rather refers to your loading speed. This means the pace at which your site or a page on your site takes to load. And of course, the faster, the better. The standard for a fast loading page is 2.5 seconds – anything above is likely to cause a high bounce rate.

First Input Delay

This means interaction- essentially what happens between the first time a user makes contact with a page and when the browser responds. Therefore how interactive a page is. This means if you are on a page and click on a link or submit information – how long will it take for the page to process your request.

We all know how frustrating it can be to click on a link or submit information and watch helplessly while a page loads at a snail pace.

Interactivity is the fine line between a customer and a loss. If someone is already clicking on your page, then they have established interest. You don’t want them to be turned off by slow loading pages.

Cumulative Layout Shift

Cumulative layout shift is also known as visual stability. When you are going through a website, and the page keeps shifting when you click on something or even a pop-up ad? Sometimes you could be reading through a paragraph, and then random videos or buttons keep loading that bump down your paragraph, affecting how you use the site.

Now you have to go back and find what you were looking for before the pop-up.

Well, all of this affects your page user experience.  And Google now wants to get rid of things that compromise the user experience for people. The point of useability for Google is to mimic in-store experience as much as possible. Especially now, with so many physical stores closing down or phasing out. Less intrusive pages are what people want.

 

Tools to improve Core Web Vitals.

Now, where do we start measuring our vitals ( see what I did there), and how do we improve?

  1. Google Search Console

This tool has a “core web vitals” section,  which replaced the original speed test. Google Search Console will give you a report based on the three criteria covered above.

In this report, you will find feedback on both mobile and desktop. You will get notified if a URL needs improvement. Then you will have to check against the standard above.

Easy Steps to Improve your Sites Web Vitals

Your report will show you where you need improvements. Now you’ll have to roll up your sleeves and start the work;

  • Firstly, your LCP will dramatically improve by having an intro that is concise and informative. Cater to your visitor’s priorities by giving them what they are looking for at the very top of the page.
  • You can improve FID by removing any unnecessary code and make sure your layout and style are simple.
  • And finally, you can improve CLS by paying attention to size attributes and other factors that could cause page shifts.

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