Core Web Vitals are three metrics Google uses to measure how good a page feels to use — and they influence your rankings. They sound technical, but the idea is simple: fast, stable, responsive pages win. Here is what each one means and how to improve it.
LCP — Largest Contentful Paint (loading)
How long the main content takes to appear. A good LCP is under about 2.5 seconds. The usual culprits are large images and slow hosting — see website speed optimisation.
INP — Interaction to Next Paint (responsiveness)
How quickly the page responds when someone clicks or taps. Sluggish response usually comes from heavy scripts. Trimming unnecessary code keeps it snappy.
CLS — Cumulative Layout Shift (stability)
Whether things jump around as the page loads — the annoying moment where a button moves just as you tap it. Reserving space for images and ads keeps the layout stable.
Why they matter
Google uses Core Web Vitals as a ranking signal, and they map directly to how visitors experience your site. Better vitals mean better rankings and higher conversion — a rare win-win. Check yours in Google Search Console or Google PageSpeed Insights.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check my Core Web Vitals?
Free tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and Search Console report them for your pages.
Do Core Web Vitals really affect rankings?
Yes, they are part of Google page experience signals, and they strongly affect conversion regardless.
What is the fastest win?
Usually image optimisation and caching, which improve loading the most for the least effort.
Free tools to turn your website into a lead machine
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📈 Free Website Scorecard — score your site across design, conversion & growth in 90 seconds.
💰 Revenue Calculator — see what a poor-converting website is costing you each year.
Related reading
- Website Speed Optimisation: Why It Matters for SEO & Conversions
- Structured Data and Schema Markup Explained
- How to Migrate a Website Without Losing SEO
- B2B lead generation strategy
- More B2B growth guides
Want help with this? Book a free strategy call.
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