MakeWebsite.Fast
PerformanceCore Web VitalsRendering

The Modern LCP Improvement Playbook

Step-by-step guidance for reducing Largest Contentful Paint using render-path modeling, streaming HTML, and proactive media delivery.

Published October 12, 2024Updated January 5, 20259 min read

Key Takeaways

  • 1Render-path literacy beats generic checklist optimization.
  • 2Optimize hero media as if it were code — versioned, budgeted, and tested.
  • 3Tie synthetic and field data together so LCP never regresses silently.

Map the real render path

Most teams optimize LCP in the abstract. Instead, trace the exact bytes the browser must download before the hero is visible. Inline critical CSS, collapse non-essential JavaScript, and make the initial HTML self-sufficient.

Pull CrUX field data for the slowest country + device combo. If that experience is healthy, every other persona will benefit automatically.

  • Ship `<link rel="preload">` hints for hero media and web fonts
  • Gate marketing pixels until `requestAnimationFrame` after LCP
  • Fallback to server-rendered hero copy whenever hydration is delayed

Treat hero media like a build artifact

Compress hero assets aggressively and respect the 200KB budget. Use AVIF/WebP for imagery, run `sharp` in CI, and serve multiple aspect ratios.

When using video, prerender the poster frame and defer autoplay until interaction. A still image is usually enough to satisfy LCP.

Pro tip: Pro tip: set `fetchpriority="high"` only on the single asset you are sure is the LCP element. Spreading it around dilutes prioritization.

Stream HTML before you hydrate

Adopt server components or at least chunk your HTML so browsers can paint partial hero content before all data arrives.

If you are gated by edge compute, push static hero fragments via a CDN key so they avoid origin entirely.

Instrument relentlessly

Hook the `largest-contentful-paint` PerformanceObserver and ship the data to your warehouse. Alert when p75 creeps above the budget for any segment.

Compare your MakeWebsite.fast synthetic score with Search Console field data weekly. Divergence usually means you optimized for desktop but not low-end Android.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a realistic global LCP target?+

Aim for <2.2s on p75 mobile traffic. That buffer absorbs seasonal peaks and keeps you under Google's 2.5s guidance.

Can I ignore LCP once I launch server components?+

No. Server components shorten the critical path but you still need diligent media budgets, CDN strategy, and hydration safeguards.

M

MakeWebsite.fast Research

Performance Engineering Team

Our research team analyzes thousands of websites weekly to identify performance patterns and best practices. We translate complex technical concepts into actionable guidance.

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