Where can I start to resolve an 'INP issue' with mobile views for a Webflow site flagged by Google search console?
TL;DR
- Identify affected pages with INP issues in Google Search Console and analyze them using PageSpeed Insights or Lighthouse.
- Optimize interactions and animations in Webflow, defer third-party scripts, compress assets, and simplify the DOM, then retest and validate the fix in Search Console.
An 'INP issue' (Interaction to Next Paint) in Google Search Console indicates poor responsiveness on mobile, impacting your Core Web Vitals. Here’s how to start resolving it in Webflow.
1. Understand the INP Metric
- INP measures how quickly a page responds after a user interacts (e.g., taps a button).
- Google classifies INP performance as:
- Good: ≤ 200ms
- Needs Improvement: 200–500ms
- Poor: > 500ms
2. Identify Affected Pages
- In Google Search Console, go to Core Web Vitals > Mobile Tab.
- Review the URLs flagged with INP issues—focus on those with "Poor" ratings first.
- Click "Examples" to see specific pages with the issue.
3. Use PageSpeed Insights or Lighthouse
- Paste a flagged URL into PageSpeed Insights or Lighthouse (Chrome DevTools > Performance tab).
- Look for:
- Long input delay (slow event handlers)
- Heavy third-party scripts
- Excessive DOM size or layout shifts
4. Optimize Interactions in Webflow
- Reduce complex on-click animations (e.g., interactions with many steps or large elements like nav menus).
- Avoid page-load dependent interactions like scroll into view or large Lottie animations on interaction.
- Limit use of large component libraries, such as third-party JavaScript embeds or widgets (e.g., popups or chat bots).
- Use native Webflow interactions over custom code when possible—they're optimized.
5. Optimize Asset Load and Layout
- Compress and lazy load images (ensure loading="lazy" is enabled).
- Use Webflow’s Lottie settings to make animations load "on scroll into view" instead of "on page load" or "on hover".
- Minimize DOM complexity — large nested structures slow rendering.
6. Defer or Delay Third-Party Scripts
- In Project Settings > Custom Code, defer non-critical scripts using async or defer attributes.
- Move non-essential scripts (e.g., analytics, chat tools) to the Footer section.
7. Test Improvements and Revalidate
- Test updated pages again in PageSpeed Insights and Chrome DevTools.
- Once improvements are confirmed, return to Search Console > Core Web Vitals, select the issue, and click “Validate Fix”.
Summary
To resolve an INP issue in mobile views, first pinpoint affected pages in Search Console, analyze them in PageSpeed Insights for interaction delays, then optimize interactions, defer third-party scripts, and simplify animations in Webflow. Always test improvements before validating fixes in Search Console.