In this article · 8 sections
- The three metrics
- How to check your scores (free)
- Fixing LCP (slow main content)
- Fixing INP (slow response to taps)
- Fixing CLS (jumping layout)
- How much does it matter for ranking?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Why are my mobile scores lower than desktop?
- My PageSpeed score is 60 but Core Web Vitals pass. Is that OK?
- Do I need a developer to fix these?
- Speed up your website
Core Web Vitals are three measurements Google uses to judge how a page feels to real users: how fast the main content appears, how quickly the page responds to taps, and whether things jump around while loading. They are part of Google's page experience signals, and — more importantly — they affect whether visitors stay or leave.
The three metrics
| Metric | Measures | Good |
|---|---|---|
| LCP — Largest Contentful Paint | Time until the main content (hero image/heading) is visible | ≤ 2.5 s |
| INP — Interaction to Next Paint | How quickly the page responds to clicks/taps | ≤ 200 ms |
| CLS — Cumulative Layout Shift | How much the layout jumps while loading | ≤ 0.1 |
INP replaced the older FID metric in March 2024. Google evaluates these at the 75th percentile of real visits, mostly from Chrome users.
How to check your scores (free)
- PageSpeed Insights — shows real-user data (if your site has enough traffic) plus lab diagnostics.
- Search Console → Core Web Vitals report — shows which URL groups are poor, need improvement or good.
- Chrome DevTools → Lighthouse — for testing changes before publishing.
Fixing LCP (slow main content)
- Compress and resize the hero image; use WebP or AVIF.
- Don't lazy-load the hero image; add
fetchpriority="high"to it. - Remove heavy sliders from the top of the page.
- Improve server response: good hosting, PHP OPcache, caching.
- Reduce render-blocking CSS and fonts.
Fixing INP (slow response to taps)
- Reduce heavy JavaScript — chat widgets, multiple tracking scripts, large libraries.
- Load non-essential scripts after the page is interactive.
- Avoid long-running JavaScript on button clicks.
Fixing CLS (jumping layout)
- Always set width and height on images and iframes.
- Reserve space for banners, ads and embeds.
- Use
font-display: swapand similar-sized fallback fonts. - Don't insert pop-up bars above content after load.
How much does it matter for ranking?
Content relevance matters more than speed scores. But when competitors are similar, a faster, more stable site can edge ahead — and it almost always improves conversions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my mobile scores lower than desktop?
Mobile tests simulate slower devices and networks. Optimise for mobile first — most Indian visitors use phones.
My PageSpeed score is 60 but Core Web Vitals pass. Is that OK?
Yes. Real-user Core Web Vitals matter more than the lab score number.
Do I need a developer to fix these?
Image compression you can do yourself; script and server optimisation usually need a developer.
Speed up your website
Joboo Web optimises PHP and WordPress sites for Core Web Vitals. See our speed optimisation guide or contact us.