Lately, an article by HTTPArchieve mentions how well all platforms performed on the First Delay Input (FID). It is a Core Web Vitals metric that measures the first input delay of a site/page and states the responsiveness as a result of it. However, Google is working to replace the metric since its purpose is fading away.

 

Background:

Chapter 16 of the HTTPArchievss discusses the Content management system (CMS) was written by a Backend Group Manager who is also Head of Web Performance Wix engineer. It was reviewed and analyzed by several Googlers and other experts.

“…..with all platforms scoring a perfect 100%. Most CMSs also deliver a good mobile FID of over 90%, except Bitrix and Joomla with only 83% and 85% of origins having a good FID.”

While chapter 16 discusses the current state of CMS ecosystems, it also raised an interesting question about the working and utility of FID. The question concerned the metric First Input Delay has lost its meaning and google is developing its replacement metric.

 

What is the First Input Delay?

First Input Delay measures the delay in the responsiveness of a website or web page. It helps web developers measure the user’s first impression of the site’s interactivity and responsiveness or unresponsiveness or delay in pages. 

 

What exactly do FID measures?

One needs to understand that FID only measures the DELAY in Event Processing. It does not measure event processing time and the time browsers take to update the User Interface.

 

Factors that affect user first impression on a site/page: 

• Site’s Design

• Visual Appeal

• Speed And Responsiveness

 

While the Site’s design and the visual appeal is more of a user’s personal choice, it cannot be calculated fairly. 

In contrast, Speed & Responsiveness are the factors that can be validated to understand and record a user’s first impression on a site/page. This is why the concept of FID was brought into the picture but the results are not as expected.

 

As stated in the Web.dev article:

“The fact that almost all platforms manage to deliver a good FID……raised questions about the strictness of this metric.”

How to calculate FID?

On a scale, the first input delay has a threshold limit for the site’s performance. If the page or site loads in 100ms, 300ms, and more than 300ms, then the performance is good, needs improvement, and is poor respectively. 

A website or web page should be tested in real-time to recognize the real value of FID. because when a site or page loads on the browser, other items affect its loading. As a result, the input delay fluctuates and gives developers and users a different experience.

For instance, if you have installed a high-resolution picture Above the fold, the loading time of a page will increase. Likewise, in the case of a JavaScript file, the browser will first parse and execute it causing a delay in loading time.

 

Will Google replace the FID with a stringent concept?

First Input helps understand the site/page’s quality, reliability and reveals the web interactivity issue. However, some critical platforms like Shopify, Webflow, and others are not included in the CMS report. 

Hence, from the new report of Chrome worrying and working on a new concept, assuming that FID is going away is quite reasonable. It may remain the part of Core Web Vitals but what is used when all websites achieve a 100% score.

Now, only time will tell and by then, stay connected with us for more SEO and technology-related updates. 

source: HTTPArchieve