Core Web Vitals in 2026: New Metrics, New Strategies

Core Web Vitals in 2026: New Metrics, New Strategies

Google's Core Web Vitals continue to evolve. In 2026, the metrics that matter for SEO and user experience have shifted. Here's what you need to know.

The Current Metrics

INP replaced FID as of March 2024 and is now the standard interactivity metric.

Optimization Strategies

LCP Optimization

1. Preload critical images — Use <link rel="preload"> for hero images
2. Optimize fonts — Use font-display: swap and preconnect to font providers
3. Server-side rendering — SSR with streaming reduces TTFB
4. Image optimization — Next.js Image component with priority for above-fold images

INP Optimization

1. Break up long tasks — Use requestIdleCallback or scheduler.yield()
2. Debounce handlers — Don't process every keystroke immediately
3. React transitions — Use startTransition for non-urgent updates
4. Minimize hydration cost — Server Components reduce client-side JavaScript

CLS Optimization

1. Set explicit dimensions — Always specify width/height on images and videos
2. Reserve space for dynamic content — Use CSS aspect-ratio or min-height
3. Avoid injecting content above visible area — No late-loading banners or notifications

Quick Wins

• Enable Brotli compression (20-30% smaller than gzip)
• Use loading="lazy" for below-fold images
• Implement <link rel="dns-prefetch"> for third-party domains
• Code-split with dynamic imports: next/dynamic

Measuring in Production

Use the Chrome UX Report (CrUX) for real-user data, and Lighthouse for lab data. The gap between lab and field results is where real optimization happens.

Originally published on IceCat Studio Blog. Based on Google Web Vitals documentation and production optimization experience.