In 2021, Google officially added Core Web Vitals to its ranking algorithm. In 2025, with SEO competition higher than ever, your Core Web Vitals score is a critical factor in whether your website ranks above or below your competitors in Google Search.

At EdgeSys Technologies, every website we build is optimised for Core Web Vitals from the ground up. But if you have an existing site that is underperforming, this guide will help you understand what to fix and why it matters.

The Three Core Web Vitals Metrics

1. Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) — Loading Performance

LCP measures how long it takes for the largest visible element on the page (usually a hero image or main heading) to load. Good: under 2.5 seconds. Poor: over 4 seconds.

LCP is most commonly hurt by unoptimised images, slow server response times, and render-blocking JavaScript or CSS. To improve it: compress and resize images, use WebP format, implement lazy loading for below-fold content, and upgrade your hosting.

2. Interaction to Next Paint (INP) — Interactivity

INP (which replaced First Input Delay in 2024) measures how quickly your page responds when a user interacts with it — clicking a button, tapping a link, or opening a menu. Good: under 200ms. Poor: over 500ms.

INP issues are typically caused by heavy JavaScript execution, third-party scripts (chat widgets, ad networks, tracking pixels), and excessive DOM size. To improve it: defer non-critical scripts, remove unused JavaScript, and audit third-party integrations.

3. Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) — Visual Stability

CLS measures how much page elements jump around while the page loads. We have all experienced this — you go to click a button and it moves just as you click, taking you somewhere you did not intend to go. Good: under 0.1. Poor: over 0.25.

CLS is caused by images without defined dimensions, ads and embeds that inject content dynamically, and web fonts that load after the page renders. To fix it: always set explicit width and height on images, reserve space for ads, and use font-display: swap.

How to Measure Your Core Web Vitals

  • Google Search Console: The Core Web Vitals report shows real-user data for all your pages.
  • PageSpeed Insights: Enter your URL at pagespeed.web.dev for instant analysis with specific recommendations.
  • Lighthouse: Run an audit in Chrome DevTools for detailed, actionable diagnostics.

The Business Impact of Failing Core Web Vitals

Websites that fail Core Web Vitals see higher bounce rates, lower conversion rates, and reduced organic rankings compared to competitors who pass. A 1-second delay in page load time can reduce conversions by 7% — for a business processing ₹10 lakh per month in online sales, that is ₹70,000 in lost revenue every month.

Let EdgeSys Technologies Fix Your Core Web Vitals

Our web performance team has brought hundreds of websites from failing to passing Core Web Vitals. We provide a detailed audit, implement the fixes, and show you the improvement in your Google Search Console data. Get in touch for a free performance audit.