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Official statement

CLS measures the stability and predictability of a page by calculating the percentage of visible elements that undergo unexpected layout shifts during page loading or usage.
🎥 Source video

Extracted from a Google Search Central video

💬 EN 📅 19/10/2021 ✂ 13 statements
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Other statements from this video 12
  1. Pourquoi le CLS est-il crucial pour votre stratégie SEO?
  2. Comment optimiser le score CLS pour un meilleur référencement SEO ?
  3. Pourquoi Google privilégie-t-il les données réelles pour le CLS ?
  4. Pourquoi les données CrUX prennent-elles un mois pour se stabiliser dans la Search Console ?
  5. Pourquoi spécifier les dimensions des images est-il crucial pour le SEO technique ?
  6. Pourquoi réserver l'espace pour les iframes améliore-t-il votre SEO ?
  7. Comment l'espace publicitaire vide influence-t-il le SEO de votre site ?
  8. Comment optimiser le préchargement des polices pour réduire le CLS?
  9. Faut-il éviter 'font-display: swap' pour réduire le CLS ?
  10. Comment le 'font-display: optional' impacte-t-il votre SEO ?
  11. Pourquoi préférer les SVG aux polices d'icônes pour le SEO ?
  12. Pourquoi les animations CSS n'affectent-elles pas votre score CLS ?
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Official statement from (4 years ago)
TL;DR

CLS assesses the visual stability of a page by measuring layout shifts. For SEOs, it's crucial for delivering an optimal user experience. Fewer shifts mean better user engagement.

What you need to understand

How does CLS impact user experience?<\/h3>

CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift) is vital. It measures visual stability. When a page loads, elements shouldn't move unexpectedly. This disrupts the user.<\/p>

A low CLS ensures that content stays in place during loading, which is essential for good UX. Google values this stability. If a user loses track due to unexpected movements, they're likely to leave your site.<\/p>

  • Prioritizing stability reduces user frustrations.<\/li>
  • A high CLS can lead to decreased time spent on the page.<\/li><\/ul>

    What exactly does Google measure with CLS?<\/h3>

    Google focuses on unexpected visual shifts. These are movements that disrupt the user because the logical order of elements is crucial for smooth navigation.<\/p>

    CLS calculates the affected percentage. The lower this percentage, the better. Google uses these metrics to adjust its algorithms and influence SEO.<\/p>

    • Shifts are rated negatively for user experience.<\/li>
    • Priority is given to elements that load first.<\/li><\/ul>

SEO Expert opinion

Is this statement consistent with current SEO practices?<\/h3>

Yes, it is. Since Google introduced Core Web Vitals, CLS has become essential for SEO professionals. Layout shifts have direct impacts on user experience and, by extension, on rankings.<\/p>

In fact, some experts have found that sites with optimized CLS often have higher conversion rates. However, Google doesn't focus solely on this factor; other UX elements matter too.<\/p>

What pitfalls should you avoid with this metric?<\/h3>

The main pitfall is focusing solely on CLS at the expense of other UX aspects. CLS should be seen as part of a whole. Overall loading speed must also be considered.<\/p>

Additionally, some quick fixes for CLS, like fixing container sizes, may address immediate issues but do not solve underlying causes.<\/p>

Warning: Do not overlook other key metrics like LCP and FID.<\/div>

Practical impact and recommendations

What concrete actions can reduce CLS?<\/h3>

Ensuring that the dimensions of images and videos are set is critical. This prevents layout surprises during loading. Using placeholders for ads also enhances stability.<\/p>

What common mistakes often cause high CLS?<\/h3>

Unoptimized ads are common culprits. They can abruptly change the layout. Also, be cautious with third-party add-ons and widgets that aren't always calibrated.<\/p>

How can you effectively test your site's CLS?<\/h3>

Google PageSpeed Insights is an excellent starting point. This tool provides relevant details about the CLS of your pages. Then, test in real-world conditions. Nothing beats on-the-ground analysis.<\/p>

  • Set sizes for all media elements.<\/li>
  • Evaluate and limit third-party scripts that may cause shifts.<\/li>
  • Continuously monitor with tools like Lighthouse.<\/li><\/ul>
    Optimizing CLS requires meticulous technical monitoring. If the task seems complex, consider engaging a specialized agency for tailored support.<\/div>

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Le CLS impacte-t-il directement le SEO ?
Oui, Google utilise le CLS comme signal de ranking, car il affecte l'expérience utilisateur.
Peut-on mesurer le CLS hors ligne ?
Pas directement, mais des outils comme Lighthouse peuvent simuler et analyser localement.
Tous les types de sites sont-ils affectés de la même manière ?
Principalement les sites à contenu lourd ou dynamique, comme les e-commerce, sont plus concernés.
Les frameworks CSS aident-ils à réduire le CLS ?
Oui, en partie. Utiliser correctement les grilles CSS peut stabiliser les éléments en place.
Le CLS est-il une métrique fixe ou évolue-t-elle avec les mises à jour de Google ?
Elle est sujette à des ajustements mineurs mais reste une part constante de Core Web Vitals.

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