Time to First Byte (TTFB)
Time to First Byte (TTFB) measures the responsiveness of a server in delivering data to a user's browser.
Definition
Time to First Byte (TTFB) is a critical performance metric that measures the time it takes for a user's browser to receive the first byte of data from the server after making a request. TTFB includes the time taken for the request to reach the server, the server's processing time, and the time taken for the response to reach back to the browser. A TTFB under 200 milliseconds is considered good, as a lower TTFB contributes to faster page loading times and improved user experience.
Why It Matters
TTFB is vital for SEO because it directly influences page load times, which are a key factor in user satisfaction and search rankings. A high TTFB can lead to slower page loads, which can increase bounce rates and negatively impact your site's performance in search engine results. Optimizing TTFB can enhance overall site speed and user experience.
Example
For example, if a user requests a webpage and it takes 150 milliseconds to receive the first byte from the server, your TTFB is 150ms. You can analyze TTFB using tools like PageSpeed Insights.
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