Core Web Vitals are a set of metrics that measure the loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability of a web page. They were introduced by Google to provide a common definition of quality user experience on the web and help website owners understand how well their sites perform on key metrics.

The Core Web Vitals include:

Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): measures loading performance.

First Input Delay (FID): measures interactivity.

Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): measures visual stability.

Source: Google

The Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) measures the loading performance of a website. It is the time it takes for the largest text or image element on a page to load, and it is considered one of the most important indicators of user experience. A fast LCP means that users are able to see the content they are looking for more quickly.

First Input Delay (FID) measures the interactivity of a website. This metric measures the time it takes for a website to respond to a user's first interaction, such as a click or a tap. A fast FID means that users are able to interact with a website more quickly and easily, leading to a better user experience.

Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) measures the visual stability of a website. This metric measures the amount of unexpected layout shift that occurs on a page, such as when an element changes position during loading or resizing. A high CLS can lead to a poor user experience, as it can cause confusion and make it difficult for users to properly interact with a page.

As you may already know, instead of Google, China’s search engine space is led by Baidu, Sougou, and Qihoo 360. That said, the key premise behind these metrics remains, nonetheless, relevant.

How to optimise websites for Baidu in China

Even though the terminology in use and specific ranking algorithms differ, these search engines similarly place a strong emphasis on website performance and user experience in their rankings.

In China, where the primary way to go online became mobile back in 2014, fast-loading and visually stable websites continue to be increasingly important to attract, engage and retain web users.

Curious about what impacts these core web vitals most for your website in China?
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