Optimization
Core Web Vitals in 2026: LCP, INP and CLS
The main metrics are:
- LCP — main content loading, with a good target of 2.5 seconds or less;
- INP — interaction responsiveness, with a good target of 200 ms or less;
- CLS — visual stability, with a good target of 0.1 or less.
LCP is often affected by server response, hero media, CSS, fonts and JavaScript. INP is sensitive to heavy scripts and long main-thread tasks. CLS usually comes from images without dimensions and late layout changes.
Lighthouse scores and real-user field data are not the same thing. A website can score highly in a lab test while Search Console still reports issues for real visitors.
FAQ
Do I need a 100/100 PageSpeed score?
No. Stable real-user performance is more important than a perfect laboratory score.
Do Core Web Vitals affect SEO?
They contribute to page experience, but they are not the only ranking factor.
