Next-level consent management: Why you should migrate to Usercentrics V3 now
on 08.10.2024 by Andrea Kawall, Marcin Janik, Luiz Bitteti, Stefan Riegler
Key takeaways:
- Usercentrics V3 promises significant improvements in web performance and user experience
- Our data-driven test showed positive effects on core web vitals on desktop and mobile
- Key metrics measured include First Contentful Paint (FCP), Total Blocking Time (TBT), Speed Index (SI), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)
- Results showed that Usercentrics V3 improved many of these key metrics (more details below)
- Faster loading times lead to happier users and higher conversion rates
- Guidance on how to migrate to Usercentrics V3
Get ready for state-of-the-art performance and deliver your content to users at lightning speed!
With the launch of the new Usercentrics V3, Usercentrics promises a significant improvement in web performance and thus also in the user experience. But is that the case? At FELD M, we tested Usercentrics V3 in our own environments and took a deep dive into the new version of the Usercentrics script to test its claims of a positive effect on core web vitals. Spoiler alert: the results were impressive, and we’re here to break down exactly why this upgrade matters for your business.
Data privacy is more than just a regulatory checkbox. It’s a fundamental part of building trust with your customers. With GDPR, CCPA, and other global privacy regulations, businesses need reliable consent management tools to stay compliant while maintaining seamless user experiences. With our know-how from years of implementing Consent Management Platforms (CMP) and their pop-up banners, we’ve seen how CMPs, in combination with advanced Tag Management Systems (TMS) setups like Google Tag Manager (GTM), can negatively impact site performance and page speed. Meeting compliance requirements often felt like an ‘extra burden’, which could rarely be resolved satisfactorily even with the combined expertise of developers and those implementing the tool.
That’s why we were more than happy to see our partner Usercentrics tackle the problem.
A data-driven test: Evaluating Usercentrics on two different websites
To put V3 to the test, we analyzed its performance on two different types of websites: a content-based site and an e-commerce shop, and looked at the core web vitals on desktop and mobile. In both environments Usercentrics was hard coded into the website and all trackers were managed in Google Tag Manager.
Using Google Page Speed Insights on several browsers, we measured the following key metrics that directly affect user experience:
- First Contentful Paint (FCP)
- Total Blocking Time (TBT)
- Speed Index (SI)
- Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)
- Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)
These metrics aren’t just technical jargon. They are crucial indicators of how quickly a website loads, how responsive it is, and how stable the layout feels as the page renders. Let’s take a closer look at the results.
Picture 1: Google Page Speed Insights on testpage with Usercentrics V3
Performance results: A speedier, smoother user experience
1. **First Contentful Paint (FCP):** A good first impression (mostly)
FCP measures how quickly the first visual element appears on a webpage. The quicker this happens, the better the user’s perception of the loading speed. However, our test showed no significant change on desktop and only a 1% decrease on mobile. While this might sound underwhelming, FCP is just the initial load—there’s more to the story.
2. Total Blocking Time (TBT): The real star of the show
This is where things get exciting! TBT tracks how long a page is unresponsive due to heavy JavaScript execution. A long TBT means frustrated users who can’t interact with your page. The latest Usercentrics script showed an impressive 100% improvement on desktop and 76% on mobile. That’s right—pages became instantly responsive on desktop and significantly better on mobile, reducing the wait time for users trying to engage with buttons, forms, and other interactive elements.
Fewer delays = happier users = higher conversion rates. It’s that simple.
3. Speed Index (SI): A smoother, more visual experience
SI measures how quickly the content visually loads on your site. This metric saw a 19% improvement on desktop and a 13% improvement on mobile, meaning users will feel like your page is loading faster, even if the overall loading time remains similar. It’s the kind of perceptual shift that enhances user satisfaction and keeps visitors engaged for longer.
4. Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Show me the good stuff—and fast
LCP focuses on how quickly the main content of a page (like images or large text) becomes visible. Here, we saw an 8% improvement on desktop and a 10% improvement on mobile. This is important for e-commerce sites where users want to see product images or key information right away. The faster they see it, the more likely they are to stick around and complete a purchase.
5. Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): No more shifting elements (finally!)
There’s nothing more annoying than clicking on something, only for the layout to shift and make you click on the wrong link or button. CLS measures how much elements move around during loading. The new Usercentrics script delivered a 47% improvement on desktop and maintained an already optimal performance on mobile. Your users will love the stability this brings to the browsing experience.
Picture 2: Improvements in Core Web Vitals after switching to the new vendor library
More than just speed – fewer barriers for people and organic search
As the European Accessibility Act (EAA) comes into force in June 2025, the new version will also mitigate barriers that fall under the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). This creates a smoother experience for all users. By migrating to V3, you improve users’ initial perception of your website and reduce their uncertainty thanks to faster loading times and fewer shifting elements as your site loads. This makes life easier for everyone.
The improvements in page load times and layout stability don’t just make your website feel faster—they also have SEO benefits. Google’s algorithms prioritize sites that offer a good user experience, which means your improved metrics can directly influence your search engine rankings over time. Faster, more responsive websites can lead to better rankings and, ultimately, more traffic.
Conclusion: The future of consent management is here
The latest version of Usercentrics isn’t just a minor update—it’s a performance game changer, featuring:
- faster load times,
- better responsiveness, and
- improved layout stability.
This upgrade helps your business deliver a futureproof and more enjoyable user experience. Plus, the SEO benefits mean you’ll likely see an uptick in rankings and traffic over time.
If you’re ready to upgrade your consent management platform, now is the perfect time. At FELD M, we’re not only excited about these improvements, but we’re also ready to help you implement them with our expert consulting and implementation services.
Additionally, Usercentrics has made the migration process from V2 to V3 as seamless as possible:
You only need to change one line of code, as explained in the Usercentrics migration guide, no matter if you use the GDPR banner template, the TCF preset, or whether you integrate Usercentrics through a Tag Management System (TMS) or hard-coded. If you’re using a custom UI or a TMS like Google Tag Manager, you may need to make a few minor adjustments depending on your setup’s complexity. But that’s all!
For companies, this means minimal effort is required to migrate to V3. We always recommend testing in your staging environment to ensure everything works smoothly, but the process itself is painless—especially if you keep a few key prerequisites in mind when managing the migration project.
How we can help: Consulting and implementation support
At FELD M, we specialize in helping companies like yours navigate the complex world of consent management and data protection. Our team of consultants and implementation specialists will be happy to help you make the most of the new version of Usercentrics and answer any questions you may have about your specific setup.
Copyright: Header image by Ahsan Avi on Unsplash