Core Web Vitals

A set of Google metrics measuring real-world user experience: Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), which assesses loading speed; Interaction to Next Paint (INP), which measures responsiveness; and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS), which evaluates visual stability. These are direct ranking factors rolled into Google's Page Experience signals. Why it matters: For SEO and user reputation, these metrics are crucial. Poor Core Web Vitals can negatively impact search rankings, leading to reduced visibility. Beyond ranking, a slow or unstable website frustrates users, increasing bounce rates and damaging brand perception. For instance, if a PR campaign drives significant traffic to a landing page, but that page takes too long to load (high LCP) or shifts unexpectedly (high CLS), users will likely abandon it, negating the PR effort and potentially damaging the brand's online reputation for reliability and user-friendliness. Optimizing these ensures that users have a positive experience, which Google rewards.