If you’re trying to improve your website’s performance, you’ve probably used Google PageSpeed Insights (PSI) to analyze your Core Web Vitals. But did you know that the data you see isn’t just from a single test? Instead, it’s collected over a 28-day period from real Chrome users.
In this post, we’ll break down how PageSpeed Insights pulls data from the Chrome User Experience Report (CrUX), why it matters for SEO, and how you can use this information to boost your website’s rankings.
What Is the Chrome User Experience Report (CrUX)?
The Chrome User Experience Report (CrUX) is a dataset that Google collects from real users who visit your site using Chrome. It measures how actual users experience your website, considering factors like:
• Device type (mobile or desktop)
• Network conditions (Wi-Fi, 4G, etc.)
• Location
• Performance metrics (like Largest Contentful Paint, First Contentful Paint, and more)
Unlike traditional lab data (which is based on controlled tests), CrUX data reflects real-world conditions, making it a valuable resource for diagnosing performance issues that affect SEO.
How PageSpeed Insights Uses CrUX Data
When you run a PageSpeed Insights (PSI) test, Google pulls two types of data:
1. Field Data (CrUX Data) – This is collected from actual users over a 28-day rolling period. It shows how real people experience your site.
2. Lab Data (Lighthouse Test) – This is generated in real time based on a controlled test that simulates loading your site.
The field data you see in PSI is not based on a single moment but rather an aggregate of the past 28 days. This is why performance scores may not change instantly when you make optimizations—it takes time for improvements to be reflected in the CrUX dataset.
Why This Matters for SEO and Rankings
Google uses Core Web Vitals as a ranking factor, meaning that slow performance can hurt your rankings in search results. Because CrUX data is based on real users, it directly impacts Google’s perception of your website’s performance.
If your website has:
✅ Fast loading times → Higher rankings & better UX
❌ Slow performance → Lower rankings & poor user engagement
Since CrUX data is collected over 28 days, improving your Core Web Vitals takes time. Google will only recognize improvements after enough real users experience your faster site.
How to Improve Your Core Web Vitals Faster
Since CrUX data updates over time, here’s how you can speed up improvements:
1. Optimize Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)
• Use faster hosting to reduce server response times.
• Implement lazy loading for images.
• Compress images & use WebP format.
• Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to serve assets faster.
2. Improve First Contentful Paint (FCP) & Time to First Byte (TTFB)
• Minimize unused JavaScript & CSS.
• Reduce server response times by using caching & preloading.
• Use Next-Gen formats for images & videos.
3. Reduce Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)
• Set width & height attributes for all images.
• Avoid inserting ads or dynamic elements that shift content.
• Use font-display: swap to prevent text flickering.
Key Takeaways
• CrUX data is collected over 28 days, so PageSpeed Insights doesn’t show real-time results.
• PageSpeed Insights provides both field data (CrUX) and lab data (Lighthouse).
• Improving Core Web Vitals takes time because it relies on actual user visits.
• Fast sites rank better in Google Search, so optimizing your Core Web Vitals is crucial for SEO.
By focusing on speed, user experience, and Core Web Vitals, you can improve rankings, reduce bounce rates, and provide a better experience for visitors.
Need help improving your website’s performance? Run a PageSpeed Insights test and start optimizing today!
Final Tip: Want to check if your site’s performance is improving? Use Google Search Console > “Core Web Vitals” report. It tracks CrUX data over time and shows when improvements are reflected in Google’s data.
Next Steps
If you’re serious about improving your site’s speed and rankings:
✅ Run a PageSpeed Insights Test
✅ Track changes in Google Search Console
✅ Implement performance optimizations
✅ Monitor your Core Web Vitals regularly
By optimizing your Core Web Vitals and understanding how Google’s CrUX data works, you can achieve faster load times, higher rankings, and a better user experience.