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Google has introduced new metrics to Core Web Vitals – what changes for online stores and the entire digital world?
What?
Google announced the introduction of new metrics to its Core Web Vitals suite, which will impact the quality of websites, including online stores. These changes include a new Interaction to Next Paint (INP) , replacing the existing First Input Delay (FID).
Why?
The goal of introducing new metrics is to better reflect the actual user experience when interacting with a website, which is crucial for assessing the quality of digital experiences.
Who is it for?
The changes to Core Web Vitals apply to all websites in the digital world, including, above all, online store owners, SEO agencies, UX specialists, and corporate website and blog administrators.
What are Core Web Vitals and why are they crucial for online stores?
Core Web Vitals are a set of key metrics Google uses to assess the technical quality of websites. They focus on three key areas: loading performance , interactivity , and visual stability . Their results determine not only user experience but also a website's position in search results , which directly impacts visibility in the digital world.
INP (Interaction to Next Paint) metric measures the time it takes from the moment a user interacts (e.g., clicks) to the moment the browser displays a visible result. INP is intended to replace FID, which measured only the initial delay in page response, not the overall user experience during the interaction.
These changes result from the growing emphasis on UX quality in the digital world, where the smoothness and speed of a website are as important as its substantive content.
Why are the new Core Web Vitals so important for online stores?
Online stores that rely on high conversion and low bounce rates must adapt to the new guidelines, as technical SEO directly impacts sales results. In e-commerce, every second counts – if a user encounters delays when adding products to their cart or proceeding to checkout, the risk of abandoning the purchase process increases.
maintaining high responsiveness becomes crucial . For companies in the digital world, this means even closer collaboration between SEO specialists, developers, and UX experts.
What are the benefits of adapting websites to the new Core Web Vitals?
- Better positions in Google – Google already emphasizes that websites optimized for Core Web Vitals will be favored in the rankings.
- Higher conversion rate – fast, responsive websites increase the chances of completing purchases.
- Lower bounce rate – users are more likely to stay on a site if interactions are smooth and intuitive.
- Competitive advantage – online stores that adapt faster to new requirements can gain greater visibility in the digital world at the expense of less prepared competitors.
How to prepare your online store for the new Core Web Vitals? Key steps
- Contact us.
- Conduct a technical audit – regular analysis of Core Web Vitals in Google Search Console and PageSpeed Insights tests allows you to constantly monitor the technical condition of your website.
- Optimize interactivity – minimize delays when clicking and loading dynamic elements, such as filters, product searches, and drop-down menus.
- Focus on mobile users – Google places a special emphasis on mobile performance, so optimizing for smartphones should be a priority.
- Implement lazy loading and optimize images – reducing page load translates directly into better Core Web Vitals results.
- Test and analyze changes – Every technical update should be tested for its impact on performance metrics.
Will Core Web Vitals be a key ranking factor in the future?
All indications are that the technical quality of websites will become increasingly important in Google's algorithms. Increasingly advanced metrics, such as INP , are evidence that the search engine wants to promote not only valuable content but also user-friendly websites, including those with a user experience.
For online stores and the entire digital world, this means that investing in speed, stability, and responsiveness is becoming an integral part of SEO strategies . Companies that neglect the technical aspects of website operation may gradually lose ground to more technologically advanced competitors.
Core Web Vitals FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
What are Core Web Vitals?
Core Web Vitals are a set of metrics developed by Google that measure the quality of a website's user experience. They include load time (LCP), interactivity (FID/INP), and visual stability (CLS). Optimizing these metrics impacts SEO and visitor satisfaction.
Why are Core Web Vitals important for SEO?
Core Web Vitals are a ranking factor in Google's algorithm. Sites optimized for them can achieve higher rankings in search results. They also contribute to time spent on page and lower bounce rates.
What are the main metrics of Core Web Vitals?
There are three key metrics: LCP (Largest Contentful Paint), INP (Interaction to Next Paint – replacing FID in March 2024), and CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift). Each metric evaluates a different aspect of a page's performance from a user's perspective.
What is LCP and how to improve it?
LCP measures the load time of the largest visible element on a page (e.g., a banner or image). To improve this, consider speeding up your server, optimizing images, and delaying the loading of non-essential resources.
What is INP and why did it replace FID?
INP is a new metric that measures the overall response time to user interactions (e.g., clicks). It replaces FID, which did not account for longer delays after the initial interaction. INP provides a more accurate picture of real-world UX.
What does CLS mean and how can it be reduced?
CLS assesses the stability of a page's layout during loading—that is, whether elements are "jumping." To reduce this, you should reserve space for images and ads and avoid dynamic loading directly in the viewport.
How to check Core Web Vitals for your website?
The easiest way is to use Google PageSpeed Insights or reports in Google Search Console. Both tools provide both lab-based and real-world data collected from Chrome users.
What LCP, INP and CLS score is considered good?
According to Google: LCP less than 2.5 seconds, INP less than 200 ms, and CLS less than 0.1. These values are considered user-friendly and in line with UX best practices.
Does Core Web Vitals optimization affect conversions?
Yes – fast and technically stable websites improve the user experience, which translates into longer time spent on the site, less frustration, and a greater willingness to make a purchase or conversion.
What are the most common mistakes that contribute to poor Core Web Vitals scores?
Common issues include unoptimized images, excessive JavaScript, lack of precise element sizes, slow hosting, and lack of lazy loading for resources. Any of these factors can negatively impact LCP, INP, or CLS.
Want to learn more?
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Marcin Stadnik
e-commerce advisor
The author is a manager with extensive experience in e-commerce, sales strategy, and content marketing. He is a digital practitioner and consultant with over 15 years of experience in e-commerce projects, sales strategy, and online business development, as well as 25 years of experience in broadly defined distribution (offline and online). He specializes in creating and implementing effective solutions for online stores, supporting companies in developing their digital presence. He co-creates appropriate strategies for e-businesses, conducts audits, and oversees marketing activities—always combining analytical knowledge with market practice. He is the author and co-author of content published on the swiatcyfrowy.pl website—based on his many years of consulting, analytical, and operational experience. The materials created are intended to provide reliable, valuable knowledge that truly supports the development of online businesses. The content here is designed to address the real challenges and needs of companies operating in the e-commerce environment (the digital world).
