12/3/2024
March 4, 2024
Google will replace the First Input Delay (FID) with the Interaction to Next Paint (INP) in its Core Web Vitals on March 12, 2024. This article discusses the significance of the update, the transition from FID to INP, and how developers can prepare and optimize their websites for the change.
Google is setting the stage for a significant update to its Core Web Vitals, impacting how websites are evaluated and ranked. On March 12, 2024, the Interaction to Next Paint (INP) will officially become a Core Web Vital, replacing the First Input Delay (FID). This change underscores Google's commitment to enhancing user experience by refining how web page responsiveness is measured.
The Core Web Vitals initiative by Google aims to offer unified guidance on web page quality signals, focusing on load time, visual stability, and interactivity. FID has traditionally measured the delay between a user's first interaction and the browser's response. However, Google has recognized the need for a more comprehensive metric that captures the nuances of web interactivity, leading to the introduction of INP.
INP not only measures responsiveness but offers a broader view of the user's experience by assessing the time until the next paint after interaction. This metric was initially introduced as an experimental measure in May 2022 and is set to become a primary indicator of web performance.
With the upcoming transition, it's crucial for developers and website owners to understand how to prepare and optimize their sites. Google recommends using PageSpeed Insights and the Chrome User Experience Report (CrUX) to assess INP scores. Real User Monitoring (RUM) tools can also provide valuable performance data, though it may differ slightly from CrUX findings.
Improvements made for FID are a solid foundation for enhancing INP. Google highlights common issues that could impair web responsiveness, including long JavaScript tasks, excessive main thread activity, complex DOM structures, intricate CSS selectors, and client-side rendering. Addressing these issues involves streamlining JavaScript, reducing entry delays, simplifying DOM structures, and optimizing CSS selectors.
As March 12 approaches, understanding and adapting to the shift from FID to INP is essential for maintaining and improving website performance. By focusing on Google's recommendations and optimizing web responsiveness, developers can ensure their sites meet the updated Core Web Vitals standards, providing users with a superior browsing experience.
You can find an overview and various sections by following this link.
