Definition
Core Web Vitals are a set of three key metrics defined by Google to measure the quality of user experience on a web page. They include LCP (Largest Contentful Paint) for loading speed, INP (Interaction to Next Paint) for responsiveness, and CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift) for visual stability. These metrics are integrated into Google's ranking algorithm and directly influence page positioning in search results.
Key Points
- The three metrics are LCP, INP, and CLS
- They have been part of Google's ranking signals since 2021
- Measurable via Google PageSpeed Insights, Search Console, and Lighthouse
Practical Examples
Performance audit
An e-commerce site improves its Core Web Vitals by optimizing images and minifying CSS, going from a PageSpeed score of 45 to 92.
Ranking impact
After fixing its Core Web Vitals, a blog sees its organic traffic increase by 15% within 3 months thanks to better Google positioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use Google PageSpeed Insights, Search Console (Page Experience report), or the Chrome Lighthouse extension to get your CWV scores in both real-world and simulated conditions.
CWV are an official Google ranking factor. Low scores can hurt your positioning, while good scores contribute to better ranking.
Go Further with LemmiLink
Discover how LemmiLink can help you put these SEO concepts into practice.
Last updated: 2026-02-07