The relationship between CLS and Core Web Vitals in SEO

Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) is one of the three Core Web Vitals metrics that directly impact SEO by measuring the visual stability of a webpage, which is a key aspect of user experience. Core Web Vitals, including CLS, are part of Google's Page Experience ranking signals that influence how websites rank in search results.

Core Web Vitals consist of:

• Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Measures loading performance.
• First Input Delay (FID): Measures interactivity.
• Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Measures visual stability by quantifying unexpected layout shifts during page load.

CLS specifically tracks how much visible content shifts on the page, which can frustrate users if elements move unexpectedly, leading to poor user experience. Google uses CLS as a ranking factor because a stable page layout correlates with better engagement, lower bounce rates, and higher user satisfaction, all of which are positive signals for SEO.

While Core Web Vitals, including CLS, do influence rankings, their impact is generally considered moderate compared to content relevance, authority, and search intent. However, improving CLS and other Core Web Vitals enhances user experience, which can indirectly boost SEO by increasing visitor retention and conversions.

In summary, CLS is a critical component of Core Web Vitals that affects SEO by ensuring visual stability, thereby improving user experience and contributing to better search rankings. Optimizing CLS alongside other Core Web Vitals metrics is recommended to improve both SEO performance and user engagement.