Web Vitals
Google's performance metrics measuring real user experience through loading, interactivity, and visual stability indicators.
Definition
Web Vitals are standardized metrics that quantify key aspects of user experience: Largest Contentful Paint (loading), First Input Delay (interactivity), and Cumulative Layout Shift (visual stability). These metrics reflect actual user experiences rather than synthetic test results.
These measurements directly influence Google search rankings and provide objective benchmarks for user experience quality. Web Vitals help teams prioritize performance improvements that meaningfully impact user satisfaction and business outcomes.
Why It Matters
Web Vitals scores directly affect search engine rankings, making them critical for organic traffic and revenue generation. Sites with good Web Vitals scores rank higher and attract more visitors through improved search visibility.
Businesses see 10-25% increases in conversion rates when optimizing Web Vitals, as faster, more stable experiences reduce user frustration and abandonment. These metrics provide clear ROI justification for performance investments.
Examples in Practice
E-commerce retailers optimize Largest Contentful Paint by prioritizing product image loading, reducing abandonment rates when customers can quickly evaluate products.
News websites improve First Input Delay by minimizing JavaScript execution during initial page load, enabling faster user interactions with articles and navigation.
SaaS applications reduce Cumulative Layout Shift by reserving space for dynamic content like user avatars and notifications, preventing disorienting interface movements during loading.