Core Web Vitals: How to Improve the Metrics Google Uses for Ranking

SEO

September 15, 2025
Written by:
Priscilla Jacovani
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
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Core Web Vitals

Understand what Core Web Vitals are, why they are important for SEO, and how to optimize your website to achieve better positions on Google..

You Core Web Vitals are metrics defined by Google to evaluate the browsing experience of a website. They measure aspects such as loading speed, interactivity and visual stability.

In 2025, these metrics will continue to be crucial for ranking, as they directly impact usability. A slow, unstable website, or one with elements that are slow to respond, can drive users away and lose ground in the rankings. search results.

In this article, you will understand what the Core Web Vitals, how each metric works and what practices to apply to improve your performance and ensure a competitive advantage.

What are Core Web Vitals??

Google created the Core Web Vitals as part of the initiative Web Vitals, aiming to define clear quality standards of user experience.

They are composed of three main metrics:

  • LCP (Largest Contentful Paint): measures the loading time of the largest visible element on the screen.
  • FID (First Input Delay): measures the response time to the first user interaction.
  • CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift): measures visual stability, that is, how much elements change position during loading.

These metrics, combined, help Google understand whether your site offers a fast, stable and pleasant experience.

Why Core Web Vitals Matter for SEO?

  • Direct impact on ranking: Since 2021, Core Web Vitals have been part of the ranking algorithm.
  • User Experience: Slow or unstable websites increase bounce rate.
  • Conversions: Fast pages increase engagement and conversion rates.
  • Competitiveness: in saturated markets, technical details can make the difference.

In practice: two sites with similar content may have different positions in Google depending on the quality of their content. Core Web Vitals.

How to Measure Core Web Vitals?

You can use several free and paid tools to monitor these metrics:

  • Google PageSpeed Insights: complete performance analysis by URL.
  • Google Search Console (Page Experience Report): large-scale vision of problems.
  • Lighthouse: integrated with Chrome DevTools, shows detailed reports.
  • WebPageTest: advanced loading and rendering analysis.
  • Chrome User Experience Report (CrUX): real user data.

How to improve LCP (Largest Contentful Paint)?

LCP is the time it takes to render the largest visible element on the page, such as images, banners, or blocks of text.

Best practices for optimizing LCP:

  • Image compression: use modern formats like WebP or AVIF;
  • Smart lazy loading: load only what appears first on the screen;
  • CDN (Content Delivery Network): distribute content from nearby servers;
  • Server Optimization: reduce response time (TTFB);
  • Preloading critical resources: fonts and images above the fold.

How to improve FID (First Input Delay)?

FID is the time between the first user interaction (e.g., click or tap) and the browser response.

Best practices for optimizing FID:

  • JavaScript minification: reduce unnecessary code;
  • Code splitting: load JS in smaller chunks;
  • Using Web Workers: transfer heavy tasks to parallel threads;
  • Postpone non-essential scripts: load only when the user interacts.

How to improve CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift)?

CLS measures the visual instability of the page, that is, when elements change place during loading.

Best practices for optimizing CLS:

  • Set image and video dimensions: reserve space before loading;
  • Avoid dynamically injected ads without defined space;
  • Font preloading: prevents texts from “jumping” when changing typography;
  • Smooth transitions and animations: avoid sudden layout changes.

Quick Checklist to Improve Core Web Vitals

✅ Compress images and use modern formats;
✅ Use CDN to reduce latency;
✅ Minify and split JavaScript;
✅ Postpone non-essential scripts;
✅ Set fixed dimensions for images and videos;
✅ Preload critical resources (fonts, banners);
✅ Review ads and dynamic elements.

Tools for monitoring improvements:

  • Search Console → Core Web Vitals Report;
  • PageSpeed Insights → metrics for each URL;
  • Lighthouse → quick technical audits;
  • Screaming Frog → PageSpeed API Integration;
  • New Relic or Datadog → continuous monitoring.

Core Web Vitals Trends in 2025

  • New metrics under testing: Interaction to Next Paint (INP) can replace FID;
  • AI applied to performance: tools already suggest automatic corrections;
  • Greater weight on mobile: mobile performance tends to be worth even more than desktop;
  • UX + SEO Integration: technical metrics increasingly associated with the user journey.

Core Web Vitals as a competitive differentiator

You Core Web Vitals are technical requirements that improve the user experience when interacting with your website.

By improving LCP, FID, and CLS, you not only serve Google, but also creates faster, more stable and efficient pages.

Companies that prioritize these metrics in 2025 will be ahead in the fight for visibility and conversions.

If you want to optimize the Core Web Vitals of your website with strategy and efficiency, talk to the team at follow55 and discover how we can take your SEO to the next level.

About the author:
Priscilla Jacovani
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Strategist with product, technology and business vision, leads operations and positioning at follow55 with a focus on growth, results and innovation.

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