Google’s Page Experience update aims to make websites more user-friendly, focusing on three main things: site speed, interactivity, and visual stability.
But don’t worry if you didn’t get all three factors (LCP, CLS, and INP) within the green line — Google experts say that improving these aspects alone won’t cause your site’s search rankings to drastically rise or fall.
As you can see, Google itself fails the core web vitals assessment test!
Core Web Vitals Are Important, But Not the Only Ranking Factors
John Mueller, a senior search analyst at Google, clarifies that while Core Web Vitals matter, they’re not the main ranking factor.
He says, “Core Web Vitals are not giant factors in ranking, and I doubt you’d see a big drop just because of that.”
Mueller explains that focusing too much on Core Web Vitals alone can distract you from other things that improve your site.
He notes, “We’ve been pretty clear that Core Web Vitals are not giant factors in ranking… but if users are so annoyed that they don’t want to come back, you’re just wasting the first-time visitors to your site, regardless of where they come from.”
This highlights the value of user satisfaction over perfect Core Web Vitals scores. A good experience can encourage people to return, boosting your site’s engagement and visibility.
Martin Splitt on Performance Optimization
Martin Splitt, a developer advocate at Google, also discussed how performance impacts rankings in a Google Search Central video.
He said, “Google Search always seeks to show the most relevant content, even if the page experience is not the best.” This agrees with Mueller’s point that while Core Web Vitals matter, they’re not the only thing that drives rankings.
Splitt shared three technical tips to improve performance, which also enhance user experience:
- Reduce JavaScript Usage: Too much JavaScript can slow down pages. Splitt explains, “JavaScript resources often are quite large, and as they need to be parsed and executed, they take browsers a while to process.”
- Avoid Unnecessary Redirects: Redirects, if overused, slow down the user’s experience. Splitt suggests checking internal links to avoid extra loading time.
- Optimize Images: Image optimization can make a big difference in performance. Splitt shares that choosing the right image format, compression settings, and responsive images can help.
While these changes may not directly affect SEO, they make users happier, and a positive experience is more likely to support higher rankings.
Clarifying Core Web Vitals in Google’s Documentation
Google recently updated its documentation to clarify the role of Core Web Vitals in rankings.
The new version states that “Core Web Vitals are used by our ranking systems. We recommend site owners achieve good Core Web Vitals for success with Search and to ensure a great user experience generally.”
However, it also cautions that “getting good results in reports like Search Console’s Core Web Vitals report or third-party tools doesn’t guarantee that your pages will rank at the top of Google Search results.”
Previously, the documentation indicated that while page experience elements do not directly impact rankings, they generally support search ranking success and are worth focusing on.
This highlights that Core Web Vitals are beneficial for user satisfaction, even if they won’t drastically improve rankings alone.
John Mueller’s Advice on Over-Focusing
Mueller has also shared his thoughts on LinkedIn, advising site owners not to over-focus on Core Web Vitals purely for SEO.
He wrote, “It’s not worth over-focusing on tweaking the scores just for SEO. You don’t need to obsess over each fractional point there. Getting those last few percent can be a ton of work… but it’s not going to make your site’s rankings jump up.”
Mueller’s message is clear: while Core Web Vitals improve user experience, chasing perfect scores is not an effective strategy for SEO gains. He recommends a balanced approach—aim for a solid user experience without stressing over every small detail.
Core Web Vitals impact page experience, and they are a factor in Google’s ranking system. But as John Mueller and Martin Splitt have emphasized, they’re only one part of the bigger picture. Focus on giving users a seamless, enjoyable experience. A well-rounded website that loads smoothly and meets user needs will bring in more engagement and support better rankings in the long run.
Dileep Thekkethil
AuthorDileep Thekkethil is the Director of Marketing at Stan Ventures, where he applies over 15 years of SEO and digital marketing expertise to drive growth and authority. A former journalist with six years of experience, he combines strategic storytelling with technical know-how to help brands navigate the shift toward AI-driven search and generative engines. Dileep is a strong advocate for Google’s EEAT standards, regularly sharing real-world use cases and scenarios to demystify complex marketing trends. He is an avid gardener of tropical fruits, a motor enthusiast, and a dedicated caretaker of his pair of cockatiels.