CWV
Core Web Vitals
Core Web Vitals are Google’s primary user-experience metrics for page quality: Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) for loading speed, Interaction to Next Paint (INP) for responsiveness, and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) for visual stability—used as ranking signals within page experience.
The three metrics
- LCP — time until the largest visible content element renders; aim for ≤ 2.5s for a good score.
- INP — how quickly the page responds to clicks, taps, and key presses across the visit; aim for ≤ 200ms.
- CLS — how much the layout unexpectedly shifts; aim for ≤ 0.1.
How Core Web Vitals relate to SEO, GEO, and AEO
Performance is a direct SEO signal and a conversion lever. For GEO and AEO, fast, stable pages help crawlers and agents fetch content reliably and leave users with a trustworthy experience when they click through from AI answers.
Key practices
- Improve LCP: optimize hero images, server response (TTFB), and critical CSS
- Improve INP: reduce long JavaScript tasks, defer non-critical scripts, keep interactions snappy
- Improve CLS: set width/height on media, reserve space for ads/embeds, avoid late-loading fonts shifting text
- Measure with field data (CrUX) and lab tools (PageSpeed Insights / Lighthouse)
- Prioritize mobile real-user metrics — most Core Web Vitals thresholds are evaluated there
Related resources
- Core Web Vitals: Complete Guide to LCP, INP & CLS
- How to Improve Website Speed
- Free SEO Analyzer — spot on-page and technical issues that often hurt performance
- GEO glossary · AEO glossary
FAQ
What are the three Core Web Vitals?
The three Core Web Vitals are Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), Interaction to Next Paint (INP), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS).
Do Core Web Vitals affect SEO rankings?
Yes. Google uses Core Web Vitals as ranking signals within page experience. Fast, stable, responsive pages tend to perform better in search and convert better for users.
How do Core Web Vitals relate to GEO and AEO?
Strong Core Web Vitals improve crawl efficiency and user trust. Slow or unstable pages hurt traditional SEO and can reduce how reliably AI systems and agents experience your site.