Understanding Core Web Vitals in 2026
Core Web Vitals have evolved significantly since their introduction. In 2026, we are seeing a shift towards more user-centric metrics that measure the actual experience of interacting with a web page.
The New Metrics
Google has introduced Interaction to Next Paint (INP) as a replacement for First Input Delay (FID), but now we are also looking at Smoothness and Visual Stability during scroll as key indicators.
Why Smoothness Matters
Users expect app-like experiences on the web. Janky scrolling or delayed animations can significantly increase bounce rates. Fennec SEO’s audit tool now includes a dedicated “Smoothness Score” that analyzes your main thread tasks during scroll events.
How to Optimize
- Minimize Main Thread Work: Use Web Workers for heavy computations.
- Optimize Images: Use AVIF or JPEG XL formats for better compression and quality.
- Defer Non-Critical JS: Ensure that third-party scripts do not block the initial render.
Stay tuned for more updates on how Fennec SEO helps you master these new vitals.
