Core Web Vitals Technology Report 2023: A Comprehensive Update
The latest Core Web Vitals Technology Report, produced by the open-source HTTPArchive community, evaluates content management systems (CMS) based on their performance against Google’s Core Web Vitals (CWV). The update for July reveals advancements across major platforms since June; however, the improvements vary significantly among them.
Notably, Joomla registered the most substantial month-over-month increase, while Duda emerged at the forefront in July, boasting an impressive 84.96% of sites meeting CWV criteria.
Understanding the Significance of Core Web Vitals
Core Web Vitals (CWV) encompass a suite of metrics established by Google, designed to assess a website’s speed, stability, and responsiveness from the user’s perspective. Websites that load expeditiously and exhibit smooth interactivity enhance visitor engagement, in stark contrast to those that underperform, which subsequently elevate bounce rates.
For businesses and publishers, a site’s CWV scores serve as a barometer for user experience and overall online competitiveness.
Data Collection Methodology
The CWV Technology Report synthesizes two public datasets:
- Chrome UX Report (CrUX): Gathers data from users of Chrome who voluntarily share performance stats while browsing, reflecting authentic user experiences.
- HTTP Archive: Conducts lab-based assessments to scrutinize site architecture and adherence to performance best practices.
Together, these resources create a cohesive overview of website platforms’ performance concerning Core Web Vitals in real-world scenarios.
Percentile Changes from June to July
- #1 Joomla — largest gain (+3.23%)
- #2 Wix — +2.61%
- #3 Drupal — +1.47%
- #4 Duda — +1.33%
- #5 Squarespace — +1.27%
- #6 WordPress — smallest gain (+0.90%)
This ranking illustrates the platforms that made the most significant strides in July. Joomla’s growth was the most notable, while WordPress saw the least improvement. Additionally, Wix’s month-over-month performance enhancement, measured at 2.51%, warrants acknowledgment.
July Rankings by Core Web Vitals Score
Duda remains the champion of Core Web Vitals, leading in the percentage of websites demonstrably achieving commendable CWV scores:
- #1 Duda — 84.96%
- #2 Wix — 73.37%
- #3 Squarespace — 68.93%
- #4 Drupal — 60.54%
- #5 Joomla — 54.78%
- #6 WordPress — 44.34%
While Joomla exhibited the swiftest augmentation, it still found itself positioned fifth in July standings. Duda, conversely, showcased the highest overall performance metrics.
The Implications of Performance Metrics
The scores associated with Core Web Vitals manifest tangible differences in user experience across various platforms. Systems that achieve higher CWV scores afford users faster and smoother interactions, whereas platforms languishing at the bottom contribute to user frustration due to sluggish performance. Although all six platforms demonstrated continuous monthly enhancements, the immediate user experience remains paramount.
Duda’s stronghold as the leading platform in July is underscored by 84.96% of sites constructed using its technology achieving satisfactory CWV scores. In contrast, Joomla’s progression, albeit significant, positioned only 54.78% of its sites favorably.
The Debate on Content Management Systems and SEO
Discussions frequently surface regarding the extent to which a CMS impacts search engine rankings. Some proponents argue that the myriad of plugins available makes WordPress a superior option for achieving high rankings on Google.
There exists a prevailing notion that WordPress outpaces competitors such as Wix, Duda, and Squarespace in terms of speed. However, empirical evidence contradicts this perception, revealing that WordPress rates lowest among the CMS options evaluated in terms of performance.
Specifically, while Duda boasts 84.96% of its sites achieving good CWV scores, WordPress only manages a mere 44.34%. This places Duda’s performance metrics approximately 92% higher than those of WordPress.
Furthermore, WordPress grapples with considerable technical debt, an issue less prevalent among proprietary content management systems. Technical debt signifies the cumulative burden of outdated code and design decisions complicating maintenance and modernization efforts. Some contributing factors to this dilemma include:
- WordPress’s origin was as a blogging platform, which has since expanded into a multifaceted CMS.
- The necessity of incorporating new features compatible with legacy code, thereby cultivating complexity and hindering innovation.
The matter of technical debt received attention at WordCamp EU 2025, where it was summarized on the official WordPress site, accentuating the need for innovative improvements and addressing contributor fatigue:
Burnout Crisis & Sustainability:
- Excessive volunteer demands coupled with inadequate systemic support.
- A lack of fair financial compensation for ongoing contributions.
- Pressure to maintain outdated systems while innovating new features leads to unsustainable workloads.
The resulting concerns include:
- Loss of experienced contributors and institutional knowledge.
- An escalation of technical debt alongside sluggish innovation cycles.
- A looming threat to WordPress’s long-term ecosystem viability.
In response, WordPress has transitioned to a slower annual release cycle, allowing for a more focused approach to addressing technical debt.
If CMS selection did indeed affect rankings significantly, one might expect WordPress sites to struggle against their competitors due to poorer performance metrics and a slower development cadence. Yet, this has not manifested in practice.
Despite inherent challenges, WordPress sites continue to rank competitively, even amidst security concerns. It appears that the choice of CMS may not wield considerable influence over SEO outcomes, even as dedicated solutions like Wix and Duda are meticulously designed with SEO performance in mind.
Ultimately, performance remains a critical factor in aspects that matter, such as conversion rates and user experiences, as evidenced by the HTTPArchive Technology Comparison Report, which identified WordPress as the lowest performer regarding Core Web Vitals in July.
Source link: Searchenginejournal.com.
