Core Web Vitals
Google's set of page experience metrics: LCP, INP and CLS.
Key takeaways
- Core Web Vitals is google's set of page experience metrics: LCP, INP and CLS.
- Check real-user data in Search Console or PageSpeed Insights, not just lab scores.
- Avoid: optimising for a perfect lab score while real users on mobile still struggle.
What is Core Web Vitals?
Core Web Vitals measure loading, interactivity and visual stability. They are a confirmed ranking factor and a strong conversion signal. Aim for the green threshold on the 75th percentile of real user data.
The current metrics and thresholds are documented on web.dev's Core Web Vitals page.
Why Core Web Vitals matters for SEO in 2026
Core Web Vitals measure how fast a page loads, how quickly it responds and how stable it is. They're part of Google's page experience signals, and slow, jumpy pages lose visitors whatever their rankings.
For a wider view of where this fits, see our full SEO glossary or explore the SEO and GEO service we run for clients.
How to apply Core Web Vitals on your site
Knowing the concept is only half of it. Work through these steps in order to put Core Web Vitals into practice on your own pages:
- Check real-user data in Search Console or PageSpeed Insights, not just lab scores.
- Fix the worst metric on your most visited templates first.
- Set a performance budget so new scripts and images don't undo the gains.
Common mistakes to avoid
Most sites that struggle with Core Web Vitals fall into the same traps. Check your pages against each of these before moving on:
- Optimising for a perfect lab score while real users on mobile still struggle.
- Adding third-party scripts without measuring their cost.
- Treating vitals as a one-off project rather than something to monitor.
Questions about Core Web Vitals
Google's set of page experience metrics: LCP, INP and CLS.
Core Web Vitals measure how fast a page loads, how quickly it responds and how stable it is. They're part of Google's page experience signals, and slow, jumpy pages lose visitors whatever their rankings.
Start here: check real-user data in Search Console or PageSpeed Insights, not just lab scores. Then fix the worst metric on your most visited templates first.
The most common is optimising for a perfect lab score while real users on mobile still struggle. Another is adding third-party scripts without measuring their cost.