Google's New Interaction to Next Paint Metric: What You Need to Know

Understanding the Transition

On March 12, Google will introduce a significant change to its Core Web Vitals by replacing the First Input Delay (FID) with the new Interaction to Next Paint (INP) metric. This transition marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of web metrics and could have far-reaching implications for web developers and user experience.

The INP metric measures the time it takes from a user's interaction with a web page, such as clicking a button, to the point when the browser renders the visual changes to the screen. Unlike FID, INP aims to capture a more comprehensive view of interactivity, addressing some of the limitations that FID presented.

Evolving from FID, which focused on the time to first paint after a user's initial interaction, the introduction of INP reflects Google's commitment to continuously improving web performance metrics. This shift underscores the importance of optimizing critical aspects of the user experience, as outlined in Google's Web Vitals initiative.

Preparing for the Change

As the transition to INP approaches, web developers are advised to assess their websites' INP performance to ensure compliance with the 'good' threshold, indicating performance at the 75th percentile of page loads. This evaluation is crucial in preparing for the upcoming shift in Core Web Vitals.

For websites that fall short of the 'good' INP threshold, Google recommends a series of optimization steps to address performance issues and enhance interactivity readiness. These steps include evaluating current INP performance using tools like PageSpeed Insights, diagnosing issues that may impede INP, and implementing optimization strategies outlined in Google's guidelines.

The impending change to INP could necessitate adjustments in web development practices, focusing on enhancing interaction readiness to align with the evolving Core Web Vitals. This may involve architectural and code modifications to optimize user engagement and search engine rankings.

Broader Implications and Summary

The adoption of INP as a Core Web Vital by Google carries broader implications for web development and user experience. INP scores may influence website rankings and user engagement, prompting a potential shift in web development practices to prioritize interaction readiness and performance monitoring.

In summary, the transition to the INP metric on March 12 signals a significant change in how web performance is measured and prioritized. Web developers are urged to proactively evaluate their sites' performance and take proactive steps to optimize interaction readiness in preparation for the impending shift in Core Web Vitals.