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Official statement

It is recommended to use SVGs instead of icon fonts to avoid CLS problems. SVGs also offer better design capabilities, fewer issues in modern browsers, and improved accessibility.
🎥 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. Pourquoi le CLS est-il crucial pour la stabilité visuelle de votre site SEO ?
  3. Comment optimiser le score CLS pour un meilleur référencement SEO ?
  4. Pourquoi Google privilégie-t-il les données réelles pour le CLS ?
  5. Pourquoi les données CrUX prennent-elles un mois pour se stabiliser dans la Search Console ?
  6. Pourquoi spécifier les dimensions des images est-il crucial pour le SEO technique ?
  7. Pourquoi réserver l'espace pour les iframes améliore-t-il votre SEO ?
  8. Comment l'espace publicitaire vide influence-t-il le SEO de votre site ?
  9. Comment optimiser le préchargement des polices pour réduire le CLS?
  10. Faut-il éviter 'font-display: swap' pour réduire le CLS ?
  11. Comment le 'font-display: optional' impacte-t-il votre SEO ?
  12. Pourquoi les animations CSS n'affectent-elles pas votre score CLS ?
📅
Official statement from (4 years ago)
TL;DR

Google recommends using SVGs instead of icon fonts to avoid CLS issues. SVGs are more flexible, better supported by browsers, and enhance accessibility. Focus on user experience to optimize your SEO.

What you need to understand

What is CLS and Why Is It Important?<\/h3>

CLS, or Cumulative Layout Shift, is an important metric of Core Web Vitals that assesses the visual stability of your page. Unexpected layout shifts can frustrate users and harm the overall experience.<\/p>

  • Using icon fonts can lead to visual shifts.<\/li>
  • SVGs provide more stable performance, reducing CLS.<\/li><\/ul>

    How Do SVGs Improve Accessibility?<\/h3>

    SVGs are more than just graphic vectors. Their XML structure allows screen readers to better interpret information, thus enhancing accessibility for visually impaired users.<\/p>

    • Better support from accessibility tools.<\/li>
    • SVGs can include helpful titles and descriptions.<\/li><\/ul>

SEO Expert opinion

Is This Statement Aligned with Observed Practices?<\/h3>

Yes, user experience is at the core of Google's algorithms. SEO professionals know that every micro-optimization matters for page ranking.<\/p>

What Nuances Should Be Considered?<\/h3>

Be careful, not all SVG implementations are equal. A poorly optimized SVG can lead to performance issues, so do not neglect the specific optimization of these files.<\/p>

Watch file sizes and complexity to avoid slowdowns.<\/div>

Practical impact and recommendations

What Concrete Steps Should You Take?<\/h3>

Start by auditing your current icon libraries. Gradually convert your critical icons to SVG. Use specialized tools to optimize each file.<\/p>

  • Identify critical icons in your interface.<\/li>
  • Opt for SVGs for these specific elements.<\/li>
  • Check the impact on CLS with before/after metrics.<\/li><\/ul>

    What Mistakes Should You Avoid?<\/h3>

    Don’t overload your pages with overly large SVGs. Minimizing the weight and complexity of SVGs is crucial for maintaining good loading performance.<\/p>

    A complete migration to SVGs requires careful planning and expertise — consider collaborating with an SEO agency for tailored advice to your specific structure.<\/div>

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Les SVG sont-ils pris en charge par tous les navigateurs ?
Pratiquement tous les navigateurs modernes assurent un support complet des SVG.
Est-ce que les SVG améliorent seulement le CLS ?
Non, ils améliorent aussi l'accessibilité et la qualité visuelle globale.
Dois-je remplacer toutes mes icônes par des SVG ?
Focalisez-vous d'abord sur les icônes clés pour mesurer l'impact avant de généraliser.

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