Core Web Vitals: The Next Official Google’s New SEO Ranking Factor

 

A great user experience equals better Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Without a second thought, we can say that content plays a major factor that rules the SEO space. Businesses involved in digital marketing always works on creating unique content drafted with high-ranking keywords and authoritative backlinks to steal the first position on Google search through their digital marketing services.  

The digital marketing efforts of businesses never slowdowns, as there are other aspects which include technical specifications like:  

• Website’s speed  
• Mobile-friendly site  
• UI & UX  
• Link structure  

As the above has always been an essential part of SEO, they become even more important after Google’s recent announcement, i.e., new user experience-based SEO ranking factor for any SEO Agency.  

Google introduced Core Web Vitals, which consists of three user interactiveness parameters and page speed. Later the company announced it as an official ranking metric in an upcoming update.    

With the official announcement, it becomes essential for digital marketers and web designers to pay attention to UI & UX and overall user experience on the website. To better understand Google’s new update for SEO and Core Web Vitals. Read on.  

 Understanding Core Web Vitals




Source 

The latest Google algorithm update is named the ‘Page Experience,’ which includes a new set of ranking factors called Core Web Vitals. The company defines it as:   

“A set of real-world, user-centered metrics that quantify key aspects of the user experience. Core Web Vitals measure dimensions of web usability such as load time, interactivity, & the stability of content as it loads.”  

To put it simply, it refers to the elements that determine how a website or page is functioning technically. For example, it will figure out whether the page is loading at snail’s speed or quickly?  

It is all about measuring users’ experience by analyzing the user interface, website’s loading page, user-friendliness, responsiveness, visual stability, and ease of navigation. While we explained to you the overview in layman’s language, Google has technical terms for these Core Web Vitals. The three important UX ranking factors include:  

1. Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)

The

LCP indicator of user experience is all about figuring out the website’s content loading speed in the web browser. The previous metrics and even the newer ones, i.e., First Contentful Paint (FCP), didn’t help in providing the accurate measure of the load speed. For example, consider a splash screen (where the logo appears while the application is loading) is not considered a relevant factor for user experience. There FCP occurs when the logo appears.  

Unlike these, the Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) is a more accurate way to measure load speed as it marks the time when an image or text, the largest element, is rendered. From image to block-level elements with text nodes are considered in LCP. 
  

What is the best LCP Score?  

One should you aim for 2.5 to 4.0 secs on the scale. To provide a good user experience, LCP must occur within 2.5 secs. The one occurring after it and beyond 4.0 secs is marked as requires improvement or poor, respectively.  

2. First Input Delay (FID) 

 

This indicator measures everything related to interactivity. The phrase ‘first impression is the last impression’ holds true for both websites and web pages. The first impressions can be a site’s or page’s responsiveness, visual aesthetics, and speed.   

First Input Delay (FID) measures a web page's responsiveness when the user first interacts, i.e., clicks a link or a tab with it. It quantifies the users' experience from the time they click a button to the time the browser begins processing the interaction.   

What is the best FID Score?  

One should aim for an FID of lower than 100 milliseconds. It ensures that the user receives a great experience. Anything beyond 300 milliseconds is considered poor UX by Google.  

3. Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)

Can

you imagine a web page moving unexpectedly while shopping and you end up clicking the wrong button, as shown below? Have you encountered this situation? Annoying, isn’t it? Such a situation hampers the user and renders your page as having a poor user experience. 

 

Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) works on such layout shift scores that occur unexpectedly and helps in improving users’ experience.   

What is the best CLS Score?  

One should you aim for a CLS of less than 0.1. It ensures good visual stability. CLS that goes beyond 0.25 is considered as a poor UX.  

The above three elements are core to determine how a website works on UI and UX ranking, which in turn impacts your SEO ranking.  

How to improve Core Web Vitals for Better UX & SEO? 

 

To help businesses improve the aspects mentioned above, Google has provided Core Web Vitals across its web development tools. With the use of tools like Web Vitals Chrome extension, Chrome Dev Tools, Web.dev’s measure, PageSpeedInsights, Lighthouse, and Search Console, one can analyze the user experience and fix the issues.  

For instance, take the Chrome extension. It is one of the simple ways to measure your site’s Core Web Vitals. It provides you with instant information about the metrics. 

 

Page Experience of Google’s New Update  

Now, as we have understood the Core Web Vitals, let’s sum it up. The new update is called Page Experience. It combines the Core Web Vitals along with other existing factors to offer a holistic experience to the user and determine your SEO.    

Overall, Page Experience is made up of seven elements, which are:   

• Core Web Vitals 
  
  
• LCP 
• FID 
• CLS 
  
  
• Existing Signals 
  

• Mobile Friendliness 
• Safe Browsing 
• HTTPS 
• No Intrusive Interstitials 
  

Due to the outbreak of a pandemic, Google will roll out the update only next year, i.e., 2021 (as mentioned by them).  

While the update is rolling out the next year in spring, it’s better to work on the Core Web Vitals from now onwards. On the other hand, quality content and other important technical SEO for eCommerce, off-page, and on-page SEO factors that already exist are never ignored.  

Wrapping up  

Amid the ongoing chaos, it is still not confirmed when the update will release. These updates will have a profound impact on the website’s search engine rankings than previously released algorithms. Hence, Core Web Vitals are also prone to further changes in the future.   

So, buckle-up to evaluate your website’s user interface and design to avoid a hit on your website’s traffic. It is always better to stay prepared to enjoy better SEO, improved traffic, and user experience.  

If you consider it a difficult task, take the help of any digital agency that offers great SEO services. Panacea Infotech is one of the names you can think of. We have proven track records in providing better services to our clients.  

What’s stopping you?   

Contact us now to discuss further.