Google is set to introduce Interaction to Next Paint (INP) issue reporting as a part of its Core Web Vitals report in Search Console.

This development is a proactive step towards Google’s strategic change slated for March 2024, which will see the retirement of the First Input Delay (FID) metric and its substitution with INP.

Until the transition, INP will remain a pending metric, but early optimization could be the key to a seamless transition.

Google announced the update to Search Console on Twitter.

Deep-Diving Into The Impending Changes

The new INP data will be visible in the Search Console reports aiding website owners in preparing for the update next year.

The Core Web Vitals report is a robust tool designed to give insights into webpage performance, reflecting the actual user experience on your site.

It classifies URL performance into three broad categories: “Good,” “Needs Improvement,” and “Poor,” offering a simple but effective way to evaluate user experience.

Contrary to FID, which measured only delay, INP takes a holistic approach to gauging the overall responsiveness of a page.

A poor INP score could imply that an expected action, such as an image closeup, takes too long after user interaction.

A good INP score, on the other hand, signifies quick visual feedback after an interaction, assuring the user that their input is being processed.

Ideal INP scores fall under 200ms, while scores ranging from 200-500ms indicate room for improvement, and anything over 500ms is deemed poor.

Optimization for INP involves reducing delays associated with loading scripts, fetching resources, and parsing HTML/CSS to display a page correctly.

In the case of complex interactions, the key is providing initial visual feedback.

Websites optimized for speed and performance should see good INP scores immediately. However, websites that haven’t been actively monitoring these metrics may encounter problems and potentially see a drop in rankings once the change is implemented.

Looking Ahead

Google’s introduction of INP issue reporting in Search Console is designed to facilitate a smooth transition for its users.

By giving website owners ample time and the necessary tools, Google ensures you have everything you need to optimize your webpages before the March 2024 deadline.

With the right approach, INP optimization and a speedy and engaging user experience are achievable for any website.

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