Technical Definition
TTFB measures the time from request initiation to the first byte of response. It includes DNS lookup, TCP connection, TLS negotiation, and server processing time. While not a Core Web Vital itself, TTFB directly impacts LCP. Good TTFB is under 200ms. Improve through caching, CDNs, optimized server configuration, and efficient database queries.
Simple Explanation (ELI13)
TTFB measures how long your server takes to start sending a response. It's like how long you wait on the phone before someone picks up. A slow TTFB means everything else is delayed. Using a CDN (servers closer to your visitors) and caching (saving prepared responses) makes TTFB faster.
Related Terms
LCP, Server Response Time, CDN, Caching
Learn More
About SEO ProCheck
Technical SEO consulting and GEO strategy with 20 years of enterprise experience. Case studies, resources, and tools for search and AI visibility.
Work With Me
Technical SEO audits, GEO strategy, site migrations, and international SEO. Hourly consulting for teams who need hands-on support, not just reports.
Subscribe to our newsletter!
Recent Posts
- No Social Schema December 7, 2025
- Missing Social Profile Links December 7, 2025
- Social Image Wrong Size December 7, 2025