Unlocking the Secrets of Core Web Vitals: A Deep Dive into 208,085 Websites
As an SEO expert at IncRev, I’m thrilled to share our groundbreaking analysis of Core Web Vitals across over 200,000 websites. With Google’s Page Experience update on the horizon, understanding these metrics is crucial for optimizing your site’s performance and search rankings. Let’s dive into the data and uncover actionable insights to give your website a competitive edge.
Key Findings at a Glance
- 53.77% of sites achieved a “good” Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) score
- 53.85% of websites had optimal First Input Delay (FID) ratings
- 65.13% of sites boasted good Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) scores
- Average LCP: 2,836 milliseconds
- Average FID: 137.74 milliseconds
- Mean CLS score: 0.14
Breaking Down the Core Web Vitals
Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)
LCP measures how quickly a page’s main content loads. Our analysis revealed:
- 53.77% of sites scored “Good”
- 28.76% “Needs Improvement”
- 17.47% “Poor”
While over half of sites performed well, there’s significant room for improvement across the web. At IncRev, we specialize in optimizing LCP to give your site a competitive advantage.
First Input Delay (FID)
FID measures interactivity and responsiveness. The results:
- 53.85% “Good”
- 37.58% “Needs Improvement”
- 8.57% “Poor”
With only 8.57% of sites scoring poorly, FID may have less impact on rankings. However, enhancing interactivity can significantly improve user experience.
Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)
CLS measures visual stability. Our findings:
- 65.13% “Good”
- 17.03% “Needs Improvement”
- 17.84% “Poor”
CLS appears to be the least problematic metric, but there’s still ample opportunity for improvement. IncRev’s expert team can help stabilize your site’s layout for optimal user experience.
Common Issues Affecting Core Web Vitals
LCP Challenges
- High request counts and large transfer sizes (100% of pages)
- High network round-trip time (100% of pages)
- Critical request chains (98.9% of pages)
- High initial server response time (57.4% of pages)
- Images not served in next-gen formats (44.6% of pages)
IncRev’s optimization strategies target these common issues to dramatically improve your LCP scores.
FID Obstacles
- Inefficient cache policy (87.4% of pages)
- Long main-thread tasks (78.4% of pages)
- Unused JavaScript (54.1% of pages)
- Unused CSS (38.7% of pages)
- Excessive Document Object Model size (22.3% of pages)
Our team of experts can help streamline your site’s code and caching to enhance interactivity.
CLS Hurdles
- Large layout shifts (94.5% of pages)
- Render-blocking resources (86.3% of pages)
- Text hidden during web font load (82.6% of pages)
- Not preloading key requests (26.7% of pages)
- Improperly sized images (24.7% of pages)
IncRev’s tailored solutions address these issues to create a visually stable and user-friendly experience.
Core Web Vitals and User Behavior: Surprising Insights
Contrary to expectations, our analysis found only weak correlations between Core Web Vitals scores and traditional UX metrics like bounce rate, pages per session, and time on site. However, we did observe a slight positive relationship between FID and page views.
While these findings may seem counterintuitive, it’s important to remember that Core Web Vitals are just one aspect of the overall user experience. At IncRev, we take a holistic approach to optimization, considering both technical performance and user engagement factors.
Preparing for Google’s Page Experience Update
With Google’s algorithm update on the horizon, now is the time to focus on improving your Core Web Vitals. While our study shows that many sites are already performing well, there’s still significant room for improvement across the web.
IncRev’s team of SEO experts can help you:
- Conduct a comprehensive Core Web Vitals audit
- Develop a customized optimization strategy
- Implement technical improvements to boost your scores
- Monitor and adjust your performance over time
By partnering with IncRev, you’ll be well-positioned to capitalize on this algorithm update and improve your search rankings.
Conclusion: Embracing the Core Web Vitals Era
Our analysis of 208,085 websites provides valuable insights into the current state of Core Web Vitals across the web. While many sites are performing well, there’s still significant opportunity for improvement. As Google continues to emphasize page experience in its ranking algorithms, optimizing your Core Web Vitals is more critical than ever.
At IncRev, we’re committed to helping our clients stay ahead of the curve. Our team of SEO experts can provide the strategies and technical expertise needed to excel in this new era of web performance. Contact us today to learn how we can help you optimize your Core Web Vitals and boost your search rankings.
FAQ
How important are Core Web Vitals for SEO?
Core Web Vitals are becoming increasingly important for SEO, especially with Google’s upcoming Page Experience update. While they’re not the only ranking factor, optimizing these metrics can give your site a competitive edge in search results.
What’s the easiest way to improve my Core Web Vitals scores?
The easiest improvements often come from optimizing images, minimizing unnecessary code, and leveraging browser caching. However, for more significant gains, it’s best to work with SEO experts like IncRev who can provide a comprehensive optimization strategy.
Will poor Core Web Vitals scores definitely hurt my rankings?
Not necessarily. While Core Web Vitals are important, they’re just one of many ranking factors. High-quality content and relevant backlinks still play crucial roles. However, improving your scores can enhance user experience and potentially boost your rankings.
How often should I check my Core Web Vitals scores?
We recommend monitoring your scores at least monthly, especially after making any significant changes to your website. IncRev offers ongoing monitoring and optimization services to ensure your site maintains peak performance.
Can Core Web Vitals impact my site’s conversion rates?
While our study found weak correlations with traditional UX metrics, improving Core Web Vitals can enhance overall user experience. This, in turn, may positively impact engagement and conversion rates. IncRev’s holistic approach to optimization considers both technical performance and user behavior to maximize your site’s effectiveness.
