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Looking to achieve high rankings on Google? The key is simple: produce quality content that meets the needs of your readers. But it’s not just about content; Google also evaluates the user experience on your website.
In recent years, there has been a major shift in how Google assesses page experiences as a factor in its ranking system. With the creation of Core Web Vitals, Google has fine-tuned its measurements to provide a genuine reflection of user experiences.
The latest change is the introduction of the Interaction to Next Paint (INP) metric, marking a significant update in the Core Web Vitals since its inception.
Understanding Core Web Vitals & Upcoming Changes
Core Web Vitals are a trio of user experience metrics that became a ranking factor in June 2021. These metrics include:
- Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): The speed at which the main content of a page becomes visible.
- Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Ensures the stability of page layout as it loads.
- First Input Delay (FID): Measures the speed of response to user actions.
Starting March 2024, Interaction to Next Paint (INP) will replace First Input Delay.
Defining Interaction to Next Paint (INP)
INP measures the delay between user actions (such as clicks or touch inputs) and the consequent visual update on the page. For instance, if there’s a half-second lag after a button click before the page responds, the INP would be recorded as 500 milliseconds. This metric helps identify how efficiently a browser processes and renders the page code following an interaction.
Why the Shift from First Input Delay to Interaction to Next Paint
The previous First Input Delay metric didn’t always capture poor user experiences at the right moments. INP improves upon this by:
- Measuring the entire delay from user interaction to the next visual change, not just an initial fraction.
- Considering all user interactions on the page, not just the first one.
Target INP Values
To offer a strong user experience and meet Core Web Vitals standards, aim for an INP of less than 200 milliseconds. While the First Input Delay threshold was generally easy to meet, with 93% of mobile sites in compliance, only 64% currently excel in the Interaction to Next Paint metric. Tools like PageSpeed Insights or DebugBear can help assess your website’s performance in this area.
Factors Contributing to Poor INP Scores
High INP scores are often due to ongoing CPU processing that prevents timely page updates. The components affecting INP include:
- Input Delay: Time between user action and the initial code execution.
- Processing Time: Duration spent running the code that responds to user interactions, often the largest portion of the delay.
- Presentation Delay: Time required for the browser to determine the display attributes of updated content.
Optimizing Interaction to Next Paint
If you need guidance on which pages to improve, start with the Core Web Vitals report in Google Search Console. To identify and address slow interactions, consider using tools like:
- INP Debugger: This tool automatically highlights slow interactions.
- Chrome DevTools: Provides a detailed breakdown of interactions for complex issues.
- Lighthouse User Flows: Offers a concise assessment of interaction delays.
Simple Solutions: Real User Monitoring (RUM)
Real User Monitoring provides real-time data on page interactions, helping identify elements that cause delays. For a streamlined approach to lowering INP scores:
- Utilize RUM to detect slow page elements.
- Quickly identify frequently problematic elements.
- Implement necessary changes.
RUM tools like DebugBear also deliver insights into particular instances of slow user experiences, allowing for a better understanding and resolution of issues related to specific conditions such as screen sizes or browser types.
Consistent Monitoring of INP
You can start gathering real user data on INP with a free trial of DebugBear, which allows you to:
- Observe the immediate effects of your optimizations.
- Monitor performance across your website.
- Identify high-traffic areas with user interaction delays.
- Assess performance variations by region, device, and page type.
Image Credits
Featured Images provided by DebugBear. Used with permission.
