Should You Really Worry About Core Web Vitals for Your Google Rankings?

Google's Martin Splitt recently downplayed the importance of Core Web Vitals as a ranking signal. This statement nuances Google's initial messaging that had presented these metrics as a determining factor.

Concretely, the three key indicators (LCP, FID/INP, CLS) remain ranking signals, but their relative weight in the algorithm would be much lower than many SEOs imagined. Google thus confirms what several studies had observed: sites with mediocre CWV can perfectly rank in first position.

This position is explained by Google's philosophy: prioritizing above all content relevance and site authority. User experience signals, which include Core Web Vitals, constitute an additional layer that can differentiate results of equal relevance.

• Core Web Vitals remain a ranking signal, but with a low weight in the overall algorithm
• Content relevance and authority signals remain priority
• User experience matters, but doesn't compensate for weak or irrelevant content
• Don't overinvest in CWV optimization at the expense of more impactful SEO levers

This statement is perfectly consistent with field observations from recent years. Numerous e-commerce sites with orange or red CWV scores continue to dominate their SERPs thanks to their domain authority, their internal linking, and the quality of their product pages.

However, an important nuance must be made: on highly competitive queries where multiple sites offer equivalent quality content, Core Web Vitals can make the difference. This is particularly true in sectors where user experience directly impacts conversion.

In reality, Google is reminding us of a fundamental rule: never optimize a single lever at the expense of the overall strategy. A site with excellent CWV but poor content will never rank well.

Following this statement, here's how to rebalance your SEO priorities:

• Don't panic if your CWV scores aren't perfect – focus first on content and backlinks
• Invest primarily in quality content production, semantic optimization, and internal linking
• Maintain an acceptable level of Core Web Vitals (green or orange zone) without seeking perfection
• Fix critical issues that actually impact user experience (loading time > 5 seconds, major visual shifts)
• Prioritize technical optimizations that have a dual impact: CWV and conversion rate
• Monitor behavioral metrics (bounce rate, pages per session) that better reflect actual experience
• Allocate your budget according to ROI: 70% content/authority, 30% technical/CWV