You might have heard that Google has replaced First Input Delay (FID) with Interaction to Next Paint (INP) in their core web vitals from March 2024. You will immediately be curious to know WHY and WHAT the difference between these two is and how to develop the user’s best website.
In this blog, I want to give concise information about why Google has announced and how it will enhance the user experience. So, guys, you should be ready to dive deeply into this topic, INP vs FID, and what this update entails.
Google Replaced FID with INP in March 2024
Google’s update on replacing First Input Delay (FID) with Interaction to Next Paint (INP) is a new phase in Core Web Vitals. If you are not aware of these, don’t feel that you are in an obscure situation—I will break down the topic and explain it to you better.
As per Google’s update, the First Input Delay (FID) measures the web page for visitor interactions. It counts the time of the visitor’s initial interaction and the browser’s response to the user’s command. FID evaluates how quickly the website reacts to the visitor’s input.
When it comes to Interaction to Next Paint (INP) measures how long it will take for a website to become interactive after the page loads. Instead of focusing on response delay, INP looks into major elements like the time it takes to load and the page’s scripts. Interaction to Next Paint (INP) gives a complete view of website responsiveness—it will enhance the user experience and SEO.
What is the reason Google should replace FID with INP?
Too many drawbacks
FID can solely measure the delay of the user’s interaction and the browser’s response. I cannot look at other factors like the website’s interactivity—site loading time, measuring the time it takes for the site to become interactive.
There is no focus on loading time
FID won’t look at factors like the time it takes for the first interactive elements and scripts to load after loading the page.
Lack of feasibility with advanced web apps
FID cannot reflect the UX of current web apps, specifically those with complex interactions and updates. These limited options cause FID to deliver poor performance on dynamic websites.
When FID offers crucial aspects of visitor interaction delays, INP gives a detailed evaluation of the site’s overall interactivity. Therefore, INP can perform better in real-world experiences.
How is INP Different from FID?
INP observes the time it takes from the visitor’s interaction to the next painting. It also focuses on responsiveness by understanding how fast a visitor can see the response that happens after the interaction. On the other hand, FID measures page responsiveness when a visitor first interacts with your website and measures the time the browser responds to the interaction.
Measuring & Score Improving
INP’s high score takes more time to respond to and reflect changes in visitor interactions. This delay is due to a lack of the proper resources for rendering activity.
If it has a high FID score, we can calculate that browser time takes longer than the visitor’s first interaction. Reasons can include JavaScript execution or other programs you used in the background.
Tracking And Processing
These offer vital information regarding user experience, but their mechanism methods differ.
INP can track information like image loading and visual stability, but FID is different, focusing on time to process their actions.
Stages of Interaction
INP is focused on the time when the user’s input is initiated to get the result process—from processing the event to painting the response.
FID, we can say, is an early-input metric – the visitor first interacts with a site to respond to the browser’s interaction with the visitor.
Evaluation Perspective
INP gives a broader view of the user experience and finding the webpage’s interactivity, which is the beginning stage of page load.
It is to consider several aspects and elements that will add to overall interactivity and contribute to the holistic metric for evaluating user experience.
On the other hand, FID’s assessment focuses on the user’s perception of responsiveness during the first interaction with the page.
It will improve the user’s experience with the critical aspect that they will first interact with the page, reflecting the web page’s ability to respond to the visitor’s input immediately.
Webpage Complexity
INP is unique and valuable for evaluating user experience on specific web applications with several interactions and quality content. It would support developers in identifying bottlenecks that affect the entire interactivity and responsiveness.
How Similar These INP and FID
Measuring User Interaction Time
The main similarity between INP and FID is that their target is to evaluate the time taken for a visitor’s interaction to get a response.
User Experience
These both target the quality of the user experience on a webpage from the perspective of interactivity and expected responsiveness.
Detecting Delays
Both will endeavor to find delays in interactive responsiveness. These metrics help developers determine how long users may wait for their page to become interactive.
Mobile and Desktop Consideration
INP and FID are assessed for both mobile and desktop versions. This would acknowledge the importance of browsing and ensure the page optimizes correctly across the devices.
What is the Impact of INP Replacing FID on SEO?
This move from FID to INP might impact the site’s user experience and SEO performance. We know that Google’s algorithms will prioritize sites that can deliver a better page experience to users. INP can measure websites that work fast and have responsive interactivity, and those with standards can get a better ranking.
INP initiates as the primary metric in Core Web Vitals, and FID’s role will change, thinking it will be eliminated.
Moving From FID to INP
The shift from FID to INP as the primary metric has multiple business implications. The main change of this INP is to focus on valuing users’ interaction experiences. Thus, we can understand that entrepreneurs need to invest in developing websites while keeping in mind that they improve sites with proper design and content.
For developers, it helps optimize the site coding faster interactivity and better visual transitions.
SEO specialists or marketers must align their approaches with proper performance measures for better site ranking and visibility in search engines.
Should You Still Optimize Your Website for FID?
Although the latest development INP has taken over, FID has its role in offering essential insights into particular elements of user experience on page loading. Therefore, business owners and developers should track and optimize FID while following the INP.
Let’s look at the scenarios where tracking FID will remain crucial:
E-Commerce Platforms
FID optimization can be a problematic element for eCommerce sites that add cart buttons or checkout processes because a slow response can cause cart abandonment and loss of business.
Lead Generation Pages
When sites with necessary forms that generate money depend on user interactions, optimizing FID can help increase lead generation rates.
Interactive Web Applications
Some online applications need a fast response to improve user satisfaction
Get ready for a shift from FID to INP
The shift from FID to INP in Google’s core web vitals can signify a transition towards a holistic method to evaluate webpage interactivity and responsiveness. Though we know that FID might be an effective tool for calculating initial user experience, INP can provide a broader perspective.
This transition can impact a website’s SEO performance because Google always focuses on user experience. Thus, business owners, developers and SEO professionals must understand and prepare for the updates.
What could be a good INP score?
When you are able to deliver user experiences with good responsiveness, we can say that the 75th percentile of the page loading that records in the field is segmented across smart devices like mobiles and desktop devices.
If it is INP below or at 200 milliseconds, it can be a good responsiveness.
If it is above 200 milliseconds, your page responsiveness should be improved.
When it is above 500 milliseconds, your page loading is dead slow and needs improvement.
How to measure INP
To measure the INP, calculate the time it takes for the visitor to progress from the present action to the subsequent paint. This entire process will involve accounting for the time between the visitor’s action and the time it takes the screen to paint – so divide the time by the complete processing time of interaction.
How to Improve INP
To fix issues, web developers need to make changes, such as reducing page size and optimizing images and scripts. The next step for developers is to test pages to determine their performance and ensure that they are optimized and have INP above accepted levels.
INP vs FID FAQs
Can both INP and FID be optimized simultaneously?
Of course, it is possible to optimize both simultaneously. After reviewing all the crucial information, we understood that INP focuses on getting a site responsive to users. Still, FID focuses on eliminating delays in user input processing. It avoids long tasks, unwanted JavaScript, and other elements.
What will happen when my site does not meet INP requirements after shifting from FID to INP in March 2024?
If your site doesn’t meet the INP standards after moving from FID to INP, its search ranking might be heavily impacted. As we know, Google focuses on user experience, and a low INP score can cause low results and reduce organic traffic to your site. Hence, optimizing for INP will ensure your website outperforms your competitors.
Will INP be affected by the user behavior and types of devices like First Input Delay?
Yes, it can impact INP. Certain factors—when users interact with devices, usage type, and processing capabilities—can influence INP. On the other hand, high-end devices with the latest equipment can have less impact on INO and a better user experience.
Will the shifting of FID with INP affect my current SEO rankings?
Moving from FID with INP might affect SEO rankings. Business owners should prepare for this shift and improve the standards to compete in the market.
