INP stands for Interaction to Next Paint, and it is a measurement that assesses how quickly a webpage responds to user interactions. INP is part of Google's Core Web Vitals, which measure central aspects of the user experience on a website. INP focuses specifically on the time it takes for a page to respond to a user action, such as a click, keyboard input or a touch gesture, and then display the next visual update (paint). A low INP value indicates a fast and responsive page, which is important for both user experience and SEO.
How does INP work?
INP measures the total interactivity on a webpage by recording how long it takes for a page to respond to user input and display a change on the screen. It's not just about the click or action itself, but also how quickly the page visually updates afterward.
If a page has a high INP value, it can mean there are delays that make it frustrating for the user to interact with the page, especially on complex pages with many elements or on mobile devices.
Factors that can affect INP:
- Complex JavaScript files: Heavy or inefficient JavaScript code can slow down the response time on a webpage.
- Rendering delays: If the browser has difficulty updating the view quickly after a user action, it can result in a higher INP.
- Server response: A slow server or poor network connection can extend the time it takes to update the page after a user interaction.
Why is INP important?
A fast INP is crucial for providing a good user experience. If a website responds slowly to interactions, it can lead to higher bounce rates, as users quickly become frustrated and leave the page. From an SEO perspective, INP also plays a role in ranking, as Google prioritizes pages that offer a fast and responsive experience.
How do you improve INP?
To improve INP and make a website more responsive you can:
- Optimize JavaScript: Reduce or defer unnecessary scripts so they don't block the main content.
- Improve server response: Ensure fast server performance so the page can update quickly after user input.
- Prioritize visible content: Make sure the part of the page that users interact with updates first so the user sees a quick visual change.
A low INP value can contribute to a better user experience and improve your site's ranking in search results.