How Core Web Vitals (INP) Impact Search Rankings in 2026
In 2024, Google officially replaced First Input Delay (FID) with Interaction to Next Paint (INP) as a Core Web Vital metric. Fast-forward to 2026, and INP has become one of the most critical factors influencing user experience scores and organic search rankings.
What is Interaction to Next Paint (INP)?
Unlike FID, which only measures the delay of the very first user interaction, INP measures the latency of all interactions (like clicks, taps, or keyboard entries) throughout the entire lifespan of a page. It measures the duration between the user interaction and the next frame update on the screen, reflecting the page overall responsiveness.
How to Optimize INP on Next.js Frontends
Since INP evaluates visual feedback responsiveness, complex JavaScript execution on the main thread is the primary bottleneck. Optimize INP by: 1) Yielding to the main thread using setTimeout, 2) Reducing bundle sizes and deferring non-essential scripts, and 3) Avoiding cumulative layout shifts that trigger heavy browser paint tasks during interaction.
