Add cache-control headers for static assets to improve Core Web Vitals.
- Add cache-control headers for static assets to improve Core Web Vitals2 cited sources1 category
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Why this matters
Setting efficient cache-control headers with long Time To Live (TTL) and hashed filenames enhances load performance and helps achieve good Core Web Vitals scores such as LCP and INP.
Hypothetical standard operating procedure
Adapt this example to your site, access, tools, and change process. It is our suggested procedure, informed by the sources below.
- Audit current cache-control headers for static resources such as CSS, JS, and images.
- Configure web server or CDN to send cache-control headers with appropriate max-age and immutable directives.
- Implement filename versioning (e.g., hashes) for static assets to enable long caching without risk of stale content.
- Test headers using browser developer tools or online HTTP header checkers.
- Monitor Core Web Vitals metrics post-implementation for performance improvements.
Watch for
Improper caching headers may cause stale content delivery or cache misses negatively impacting user experience and metrics.
Definition of done
Static assets respond with cache-control headers specifying long TTL and use versioned filenames ensuring improved page load times.
Sources & attribution
Original checklist wording and example SOP by Best SEO Checklist, using source-grounded AI assistance. Editorial contact: Ted Kubaitis, @tedkubaitis on Teams. Check current source guidance before implementation.