In 2021, Google implemented Core Web Vitals, a series of new ranking factors that determine the visibility of websites in search engines. Among the criteria introduced was the titular LCP, or Largest Contentful Paint. In practice, this represents the loading time of the largest element of a website's content. Optimizing this aspect affects not only SEO effectiveness but also the user experience. Therefore, it's worth making every effort to improve this aspect. Learn the detailed characteristics of LCP and how to effectively work on this factor.
What form can LCP take?
A website consists of a wide variety of content. See which ones qualify as LCP:
- pictures,
- films,
- animations,
- text blocks,
- background elements.
It's worth noting that the measurement focuses on components placed in the first view of the page, i.e., the part visible without scrolling. Content below this level is not included in this metric.
Why is LCP so important?
On the surface, it might seem that many ranking factors are more important than Largest Contentful Paint. However, Google has decided that Core Web Vitals, and therefore LCP, will begin to play a fundamental role. Therefore, the level of optimization in this aspect has a significant impact on the following:
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- page loading speed,
- better first impressions after starting the session,
- bounce rate,
- user experience,
- greater visibility in search results,
- higher conversion rate.
LCP measurement tools
You can use the following tools to effectively monitor and optimize LCP:
- Google Insights PageSpeed – This free website performance analysis solution provides detailed LCP data, as well as FID (First Input Delay) and CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift). You can also count on suggestions to improve your website's performance. The tool's key advantages include ease of use, easy access, and clear reporting.
- Lighthouse – is an open-source tool built into the Chrome browser (in DevTools). It's available as a plugin that analyzes various aspects of website performance. Available metrics include the LCP (Low Performance Index), FID, and CLS. A key advantage of this solution is the ability to generate detailed reports and analyze the impact of changes on performance.
- Google Search Console – This tool is primarily used for monitoring search results. However, it also provides performance data, such as LCP. It's worth considering this solution due to its intuitive interface, the ability to compare results, and detailed guidance that supports further optimization efforts.
- GTmetrix – This intuitive tool analyzes various aspects of website performance. Using this solution, you can count on a range of practical recommendations. You can then implement the suggestions to improve your website's loading speed.
How to interpret LCP results?
According to Google guidelines, LCP results can be divided into three categories:
- good: under 2,5 seconds,
- needs improvement: between 2,5 and 4 seconds,
- weak: over 4 seconds.
The above thresholds apply to 75% of all page views. For example, a page would be considered good for LCP if the load time of the largest element did not exceed 2,5 seconds in at least three out of four sessions.
Most common problems with LCP
There are a number of obstacles that typically stand in the way of improving performance on this metric. These challenges typically include:
- too large images - lack of proper compression and optimization,
- slow server - inadequate hosting or server overload,
- clutter in JavaScript and CSS code - too many scripts loaded synchronously,
- suboptimal loading order of individual elements - lack of prioritization of key resources,
- many http queries – excessive number of requests from the server.
How to improve LCP?
- Image optimization — Compressing images without losing quality is crucial. Also, use modern formats like WebP. They are smaller than images with .png or even .jpg extensions.
- Use lazy loading – a technique for loading individual elements that improves page performance. Implementing this solution ensures that content is loaded as the user scrolls through the web page. This is significantly less burdensome than the default option of loading all content at once.
- Server selection – Proper hosting and server configuration in terms of performance have a huge impact on LCP. Therefore, conduct a thorough selection of solutions available on the market. Check the opinions of experts and other users. Ultimately, choose the service that guarantees the highest performance standards.
- Resource loading prioritization — Identify and prioritize the loading of elements necessary to display the main content of the page. This can be achieved by adding the preload attribute to key resources. Less important content can be loaded secondarily.
- CSS and JavaScript Resource Simplification - Removal Removing unused code and compressing files will help your site run more efficiently. It's also worth considering combining CSS and JS files into one optimized package.
- Critical CSS Indication – extracting the elements necessary to display the first screen.
- Using CDN – Content Delivery Network enables faster loading of resources by distributing them on servers located closer to the user.
- Font optimization – Unusual and diverse styles can be a significant burden, especially when downloaded from external platforms like Google Fonts. Therefore, simplify your structure to avoid this inconvenience. Use as few font variants as possible. This will reduce the amount of data that needs to be loaded. Also, try to host resources on your own server instead of downloading them from external sources. This should significantly speed up the entire loading process.
- Maintaining responsiveness – Include all page versions in your LCP improvement efforts. Ensure flawless performance on both mobile and desktop devices.
Summary
Largest Contentful Paint may seem complicated at first glance. However, it turns out that many actions to improve this aspect can be implemented relatively quickly. Beyond these immediate actions, it's also worth planning regular LCP optimization efforts. Every improvement you make in this area increases your chances of staying at the top of search results and retaining user engagement. As a result, you can expect to achieve more conversions in the form of purchases, registrations, or any other form you desire.
Summary
The above article covers the following topics:
- What elements are considered as LCP?
- Why is LCP so important for SEO and UX?
- LCP Measurement Tools: Where to Find Reliable Data
- How to interpret LCP results to know what to do next?
- Common LCP Problems: From Slow Server to Heavy Images
- How to realistically improve LCP? Proven optimization techniques
- What do you need to remember about LCP optimization?
