WordPress Core Web Vitals: A Milestone in Website Performance
In 2023, the WordPress community achieved a significant milestone in website performance with the improvement of Core Web Vitals (CWV) for both mobile and desktop users. These improvements have far-reaching implications, shaping the evolving landscape of web performance within the WordPress ecosystem. This article will delve into the specifics of these improvements, explore their significance, and highlight the impact of WordPress Core Web Vitals on the web.
Understanding Core Web Vitals
Core Web Vitals encompass a set of specific metrics designed to measure the quality of user experience on web pages. As part of Google’s Web Vitals initiative, these metrics focus on loading performance, interactivity, and visual stability. They are crucial for site owners to measure and optimize, as they also serve as a confirmed ranking factor for Google Search.
The three key metrics within CWV are as follows:
- Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): This metric evaluates loading performance and indicates a good user experience when the LCP occurs within 2.5 seconds of when the page starts loading.
- First Input Delay (FID): FID measures the interactivity of a page, and a good user experience is indicated when the FID is 100 milliseconds or less.
- Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): CLS assesses the visual stability of a page, and a good user experience is maintained if the page has a CLS of 0.1 or less.
While these metrics are critical, there are other vital metrics that contribute to overall web performance, such as Time to First Byte (TTFB) and First Contentful Paint (FCP). Although they are not part of the Core Web Vitals set, they play a crucial role in diagnosing issues and optimizing loading experience.
Improvements in WordPress Core Web Vitals
In 2023, WordPress witnessed substantial improvements in its Core Web Vitals performance. The mobile CWV passing rate increased by 8.13%, rising from 28.31% to 36.44%. Similarly, the desktop CWV passing rate improved by 8.25%, moving from 32.55% to 40.80%. These improvements are significant, considering the base values from which these percentages increased.
In relative terms, the new passing rates are approximately 29% higher than the previous ones on mobile and 25% higher on desktop. This progress surpasses the improvements made in the previous year, where mobile CWV improved by 6.99% and desktop by 6.25%.
Mobile CWV Metrics
The improvement in individual CWV metrics on mobile platforms is noteworthy. The mobile LCP passing rate rose by 8.89%, the CLS passing rate by 4.22%, and the FID passing rate by 0.87%. The focus on improving LCP is evident, as it had the lowest base passing rate. Despite a modest increase in FID, its already high passing rate makes this less concerning.
The TTFB rate, although not a Core Web Vitals metric, is integral to LCP and received attention in 2023. The mobile TTFB passing rate improved by 3.10%, and the desktop rate by 3.53%.
Impact of WordPress 2023 Releases
The release of WordPress versions 6.2, 6.3, and 6.4 in 2023 focused on load time performance improvements, particularly targeting LCP and TTFB metrics. To evaluate these improvements, data was compiled by comparing sites before and after updating to the new versions. Although not a strict A/B comparison, this approach helped reduce noise and provide clearer insights.
The release of WordPress 6.2 showed a 0.01% improvement in mobile LCP and a 0.65% improvement in mobile TTFB. Version 6.3 brought more significant improvements, with a 4.72% increase in mobile LCP. The release of WordPress 6.4 also contributed to the improvements, albeit more modestly.
WordPress’s Impact on the Web
WordPress’s high usage rate means its performance has a substantial effect on the overall web. In 2023, WordPress’s improvement in CWV passing rates exceeded those of non-WordPress sites. For example, the mobile CWV passing rate for non-WordPress sites improved by 3.68%, compared to WordPress’s 8.13%. This demonstrates WordPress’s significant role in enhancing web performance.
The Future: Interaction to Next Paint (INP)
Looking forward to 2024, WordPress faces new challenges and opportunities. One major change is the replacement of the FID metric with Interaction to Next Paint (INP). INP is a more comprehensive measure of interactivity, and its introduction is expected to lower overall CWV passing rates.
The WordPress performance team is already considering this change in their planning for 2024, and they have invited the community to contribute to their roadmap. It is crucial for marketing professionals, WordPress developers, and site owners to stay current with the latest developments in Core Web Vitals and prepare for the upcoming shift to INP.
Preparing for the INP Shift
As the shift to INP approaches in 2024, WordPress developers and site owners should start focusing on optimizing for this new metric. Prioritizing INP means optimizing your site to ensure that it responds quickly and smoothly to user interactions.
To improve INP and overall web performance, consider the following strategies:
- Optimize Hosting Environments: Choose a reliable hosting provider that offers fast server response times and optimal performance.
- Use Caching Strategies: Implement caching mechanisms to store static content and reduce server load, improving overall site speed.
- Adjust Content Delivery Networks: Explore the use of Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to cache and deliver site content efficiently to users worldwide.
See first source: Search Engine Journal
FAQ
Q1: What are Core Web Vitals (CWV), and why are they important for website performance?
A1: Core Web Vitals are a set of metrics that measure the quality of user experience on web pages. They are important because they focus on loading performance, interactivity, and visual stability, which are crucial for user satisfaction and SEO ranking.
Q2: What are the three key metrics within Core Web Vitals (CWV), and what are their recommended thresholds for a good user experience?
A2: The three key CWV metrics are:
- Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) with a recommended threshold of 2.5 seconds.
- First Input Delay (FID) with a threshold of 100 milliseconds or less.
- Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) with a threshold of 0.1 or less.
Q3: How have WordPress Core Web Vitals improved in 2023, and what are the passing rates for mobile and desktop?
A3: In 2023, mobile CWV passing rates improved by 8.13%, reaching 36.44%, while desktop CWV passing rates improved by 8.25%, reaching 40.80%. These improvements are significant, with passing rates approximately 29% higher on mobile and 25% higher on desktop compared to previous values.
Q4: What are the specific improvements in individual CWV metrics on mobile platforms in 2023?
A4: Mobile LCP passing rate improved by 8.89%, CLS passing rate by 4.22%, and FID passing rate by 0.87%. Mobile TTFB passing rate also improved by 3.10%.
Q5: How did the releases of WordPress versions 6.2, 6.3, and 6.4 impact web performance?
A5: These releases focused on load time performance improvements, particularly targeting LCP and TTFB metrics. While version 6.2 showed a minor improvement, version 6.3 brought significant improvements in mobile LCP, contributing to overall CWV improvements.
Q6: How does WordPress’s impact on CWV passing rates compare to non-WordPress sites in 2023?
A6: WordPress’s improvement in CWV passing rates exceeded that of non-WordPress sites in 2023. For instance, the mobile CWV passing rate for non-WordPress sites improved by 3.68%, compared to WordPress’s 8.13%. This highlights WordPress’s significant role in enhancing web performance.
Q7: What is Interaction to Next Paint (INP), and how will it affect Core Web Vitals in 2024?
A7: INP is a metric replacing FID, measuring interactivity more comprehensively. It is expected to lower overall CWV passing rates in 2024.
Q8: How can WordPress developers and site owners prepare for the shift to INP in 2024?
A8: To prepare for the shift to INP, consider optimizing hosting environments, implementing caching strategies, and exploring Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to improve site speed and responsiveness.
Q9: What are the key strategies for optimizing INP and overall web performance in WordPress?
A9: To optimize INP and web performance in WordPress, consider:
- Choosing a reliable hosting provider with fast server response times.
- Implementing caching mechanisms to store static content and reduce server load.
- Exploring the use of Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) for efficient content delivery to users worldwide.
Featured Image Credit: Photo by Fikret tozak; Unsplash – Thank you!
