Core Web Vitals are a set of performance measurements that Google uses to evaluate the real-world experience of visiting a webpage. They are not just a technical benchmark — they are a ranking signal. Sites that score well on Core Web Vitals have a measurable advantage in search results over those that do not.
The three metrics that matter
- Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) — How long it takes for the main content of a page to become visible. Measures perceived load speed. Target: under 2.5 seconds
- Interaction to Next Paint (INP) — How quickly the page responds when a visitor interacts with it. Measures responsiveness. Target: under 200 milliseconds
- Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) — How much the page layout shifts unexpectedly while loading. Measures visual stability. Target: under 0.1
What typically causes poor scores on WordPress sites
- Slow server response time — a slow TTFB directly pushes up LCP
- Large unoptimised images loading above the fold
- Heavy JavaScript from plugins blocking page rendering
- Fonts or third-party scripts loading without proper defer or async settings
- Images or ads without defined dimensions causing layout shifts
Where to start
Google Search Console shows your Core Web Vitals scores for real pages on your site. That is the best place to see where you stand. The fixes are usually a combination of better performance configuration, optimised images, and improved hosting.
Not sure what your scores are or what is causing them? A website checkup covers this. Explore more in our performance knowledge base.