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Lighthouse Mobile

· 0 checks — Mobile Lighthouse audit -- Performance, Accessibility, Best Practices, and SEO category breakdown.
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Detailed Report

Audit breakdown by category with detailed findings.

36

Performance

Insights

Remove large, duplicate JavaScript modules from bundles to reduce unnecessary bytes consumed by network activity.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

Polyfills and transforms enable older browsers to use new JavaScript features. However, many aren't necessary for modern browsers. Consider modifying your JavaScript build process to not transpile Baseline features, unless you know you must support older browsers. Learn why most sites can deploy ES6+ code without transpiling

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

3rd party code can significantly impact load performance. Reduce and defer loading of 3rd party code to prioritize your page's content.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

A long cache lifetime can speed up repeat visits to your page. Learn more about caching.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

RequestCache TTLTransfer Size
dgwlxezajnh25.cloudfront.net/top-level-v9/research-impact-hero-v2.mp40.0 ms7.9 MiB
dgwlxezajnh25.cloudfront.net/top-level-v9/homepage-tiles/research-test-tube.mp40.0 ms694.6 KiB
dgwlxezajnh25.cloudfront.net/top-level-v9/homepage-tiles/evanston-chicago.mp40.0 ms655.9 KiB
/top-level-v9/homepage-tiles/arts-frida-imagineu-wirtz.mp40.0 ms388.7 KiB
/top-level-v9/homepage-tiles/athletics-field-hockey-win.mp40.0 ms323.7 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/priorities/resilient_students_1x.webp86400.0 s102.1 KiB
/images/homepage/priorities/enhance_the_student_athlete_e...86400.0 s89.5 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/priorities/creative_performing_arts_1x.webp86400.0 s85.5 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/priorities/data_analytics_1x.webp86400.0 s80.8 KiB
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/css/styles.css86400.0 s75.4 KiB
/images/homepage/priorities/outstanding_educational_exper...86400.0 s74.7 KiB
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/js/scripts.js86400.0 s74.2 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/priorities/sustainability_1x.webp86400.0 s70.5 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/priorities/advance_the_biosciences_1x.webp86400.0 s67.6 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/priorities/free_expression_1x.webp86400.0 s67.4 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/priorities/investment_employees_1x.webp86400.0 s66.7 KiB
/images/homepage/priorities/promote_access_opportunity_di...86400.0 s66.4 KiB
/images/homepage/priorities/social_sciences_global_studie...86400.0 s65.9 KiB
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/css/images/footer-bg-mobile.webp86400.0 s65.9 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/explore/block_museum_of_art_2.webp86400.0 s48.5 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/explore/norris_1x.webp86400.0 s40.9 KiB
/dept/4.0/css/fonts/akkurat/lineto-akkurat-pro-italic.woff286400.0 s37.8 KiB
/dept/4.0/css/fonts/akkurat/lineto-akkurat-pro-bolditalic...86400.0 s37.8 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/social/facebook-class-photo.webp86400.0 s35.5 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/news/2026/cba550.webp86400.0 s35.2 KiB
/dept/4.0/css/fonts/akkurat/lineto-akkurat-pro-regular.woff286400.0 s34.8 KiB
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/css/fonts/akkurat/lineto-akkurat-pro-bold.woff286400.0 s34.8 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/explore/dance_marathon_1x.webp86400.0 s34.0 KiB
/images/homepage/explore/student_athletes_nigel_prince_an...86400.0 s33.7 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/explore/the_garage_600x400.webp86400.0 s33.5 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/social/instagram-first-day-of-class.webp86400.0 s32.3 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/news/2026/sq-acc550.webp86400.0 s28.8 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/tiles/research-test-tube.webp86400.0 s28.8 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/news/2025/search550.webp86400.0 s26.8 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/explore/sailing_center_1x.webp86400.0 s25.9 KiB
/images/homepage/explore/professor_andrew_papachristos_1x...86400.0 s25.5 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/explore/alumna_greta_lee_1x.webp86400.0 s24.4 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/explore/march_through_he_arch_1x.webp86400.0 s22.0 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/news/2026/hdr670.webp86400.0 s20.7 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/tiles/athletics-field-hockey-win.webp86400.0 s19.3 KiB
common.gmc-cloud.net/mburger-component.js0.0 ms7.3 KiB
common.northwestern.edu/v9/css/nu.css86400.0 s17.5 KiB
common.gmc-cloud.net/mburger.js0.0 ms6.5 KiB
/dept/4.0/css/fonts/noto-serif/noto-serif-v23-latin-700it...86400.0 s16.0 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/tiles/arts-frida-imagineu-wirtz.webp86400.0 s16.0 KiB
/dept/4.0/css/fonts/noto-serif/noto-serif-v23-latin-itali...86400.0 s15.8 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/tiles/evanston-chicago.webp86400.0 s15.7 KiB
/dept/4.0/css/fonts/noto-serif/noto-serif-v23-latin-700.w...86400.0 s15.2 KiB
/dept/4.0/css/fonts/noto-serif/noto-serif-v23-latin-500.w...86400.0 s15.1 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/news/2026/superagers550.webp86400.0 s11.8 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/news/2026/apprentice550.webp86400.0 s11.0 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/social/linkedin-super-agers.webp86400.0 s10.5 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/news/2026/gilman550.webp86400.0 s10.1 KiB
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/css/fonts/poppins/poppins-v21-latin-500.woff286400.0 s8.1 KiB
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/css/fonts/poppins/poppins-v21-latin-300.woff286400.0 s8.1 KiB
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/css/images/light-purple-lines2.webp86400.0 s6.5 KiB
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/js/custom.js?v=2026012186400.0 s4.9 KiB
common.northwestern.edu/v9/js/nu-custom.js86400.0 s4.3 KiB
common.northwestern.edu/v9/css/images/northwestern.svg86400.0 s2.0 KiB
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/css/print.css86400.0 s1.6 KiB
cdn-cookieyes.com/assets/images/close.svg36000.0 s859 B

Your first network request is the most important. Reduce its latency by avoiding redirects, ensuring a fast server response, and enabling text compression.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

Consider setting font-display to swap or optional to ensure text is consistently visible. swap can be further optimized to mitigate layout shifts with font metric overrides.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

URLEst Savings
/dept/4.0/css/fonts/akkurat/lineto-akkurat-pro-bolditalic...200 ms
/dept/4.0/css/fonts/akkurat/lineto-akkurat-pro-regular.woff2195 ms
/dept/4.0/css/fonts/akkurat/lineto-akkurat-pro-italic.woff2195 ms
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/css/fonts/akkurat/lineto-akkurat-pro-bold.woff2190 ms
/dept/4.0/css/fonts/noto-serif/noto-serif-v23-latin-700.w...120 ms
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/css/fonts/poppins/poppins-v21-latin-500.woff2115 ms
/dept/4.0/css/fonts/noto-serif/noto-serif-v23-latin-500.w...110 ms
/dept/4.0/css/fonts/noto-serif/noto-serif-v23-latin-700it...110 ms
/dept/4.0/css/fonts/noto-serif/noto-serif-v23-latin-itali...110 ms
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/css/fonts/poppins/poppins-v21-latin-300.woff2100 ms

A forced reflow occurs when JavaScript queries geometric properties (such as offsetWidth) after styles have been invalidated by a change to the DOM state. This can result in poor performance. Learn more about forced reflows and possible mitigations.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

headings: [map[key:source label:Top function call valueType:source-location] map[granularity:1 key:reflowTime label:Total reflow time valueType:ms]]
items: [map[reflowTime:47.362 source:map[column:197 line:787 type:source-location url:https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-JF7CBCTDRN urlProvider:network]]]
headings: [map[key:source label:Source valueType:source-location] map[granularity:1 key:reflowTime label:Total reflow time valueType:ms]]
items: [map[reflowTime:47.362 source:map[column:55 line:784 type:source-location url:https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-JF7CBCTDRN urlProvider:network]] map[reflowTime:8.705 source:map[column:4665 line:45 type:source-location url:https://common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/js/scripts.js urlProvider:network]] map[reflowTime:14.082 source:map[column:55633 line:45 type:source-location url:https://common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/js/scripts.js urlProvider:network]] map[reflowTime:5.896 source:map[column:10379 line:45 type:source-location url:https://common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/js/scripts.js urlProvider:network]] map[reflowTime:8.376 source:map[column:16069 line:45 type:source-location url:https://common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/js/scripts.js urlProvider:network]] map[reflowTime:1.178 source:map[column:47256 line:45 type:source-location url:https://common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/js/scripts.js urlProvider:network]]]

Each subpart has specific improvement strategies. Ideally, most of the LCP time should be spent on loading the resources, not within delays.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

headings: [map[key:label label:Subpart valueType:text] map[key:duration label:Duration valueType:ms]]
items: [map[duration:1876.453 label:Time to first byte subpart:timeToFirstByte] map[duration:126.146 label:Resource load delay subpart:resourceLoadDelay] map[duration:1352.75 label:Resource load duration subpart:resourceLoadDuration] map[duration:20.453 label:Element render delay subpart:elementRenderDelay]]
lhId: page-0-VIDEO
nodeLabel: main#main-content > div#hero > div.video > video
path: 1,HTML,1,BODY,4,DIV,3,MAIN,0,DIV,0,DIV,1,VIDEO
selector: main#main-content > div#hero > div.video > video
snippet: <video autoplay="autoplay" loop="loop" muted="muted" playsinline="playsinline">

Optimize LCP by making the LCP image discoverable from the HTML immediately, and avoiding lazy-loading

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

lhId: page-0-VIDEO
nodeLabel: main#main-content > div#hero > div.video > video
path: 1,HTML,1,BODY,4,DIV,3,MAIN,0,DIV,0,DIV,1,VIDEO
selector: main#main-content > div#hero > div.video > video
snippet: <video autoplay="autoplay" loop="loop" muted="muted" playsinline="playsinline">

HTTP/2 and HTTP/3 offer many benefits over HTTP/1.1, such as multiplexing. Learn more about using modern HTTP.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

URLProtocol
www.northwestern.edu/http/1.1
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/css/styles.csshttp/1.1
common.northwestern.edu/v9/css/nu.csshttp/1.1
common.northwestern.edu/v9/css/images/northwestern.svghttp/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/news/2026/hdr670.webphttp/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/news/2026/sq-acc550.webphttp/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/news/2026/gilman550.webphttp/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/news/2026/superagers550.webphttp/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/news/2026/cba550.webphttp/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/news/2026/apprentice550.webphttp/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/news/2025/search550.webphttp/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/tiles/research-test-tube.webphttp/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/tiles/arts-frida-imagineu-wirtz.webphttp/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/tiles/evanston-chicago.webphttp/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/tiles/athletics-field-hockey-win.webphttp/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/priorities/advance_the_biosciences_1x.webphttp/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/priorities/data_analytics_1x.webphttp/1.1
/images/homepage/priorities/social_sciences_global_studie...http/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/priorities/sustainability_1x.webphttp/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/priorities/creative_performing_arts_1x.webphttp/1.1
/images/homepage/priorities/outstanding_educational_exper...http/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/priorities/investment_employees_1x.webphttp/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/priorities/resilient_students_1x.webphttp/1.1
/images/homepage/priorities/promote_access_opportunity_di...http/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/priorities/free_expression_1x.webphttp/1.1
/images/homepage/priorities/enhance_the_student_athlete_e...http/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/explore/sailing_center_1x.webphttp/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/explore/alumna_greta_lee_1x.webphttp/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/explore/dance_marathon_1x.webphttp/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/explore/block_museum_of_art_2.webphttp/1.1
/images/homepage/explore/professor_andrew_papachristos_1x...http/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/explore/march_through_he_arch_1x.webphttp/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/explore/the_garage_600x400.webphttp/1.1
/images/homepage/explore/student_athletes_nigel_prince_an...http/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/explore/norris_1x.webphttp/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/social/instagram-first-day-of-class.webphttp/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/social/facebook-class-photo.webphttp/1.1
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/social/linkedin-super-agers.webphttp/1.1
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/js/scripts.jshttp/1.1
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/js/custom.js?v=20260121http/1.1
common.northwestern.edu/v9/js/nu-custom.jshttp/1.1
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/css/print.csshttp/1.1
/dept/4.0/css/fonts/noto-serif/noto-serif-v23-latin-700.w...http/1.1
/dept/4.0/css/fonts/akkurat/lineto-akkurat-pro-bolditalic...http/1.1
/dept/4.0/css/fonts/noto-serif/noto-serif-v23-latin-500.w...http/1.1
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/css/fonts/akkurat/lineto-akkurat-pro-bold.woff2http/1.1
/dept/4.0/css/fonts/akkurat/lineto-akkurat-pro-regular.woff2http/1.1
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/css/images/light-purple-lines2.webphttp/1.1
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/css/images/footer-bg-mobile.webphttp/1.1
/dept/4.0/css/fonts/noto-serif/noto-serif-v23-latin-700it...http/1.1
/dept/4.0/css/fonts/akkurat/lineto-akkurat-pro-italic.woff2http/1.1
/dept/4.0/css/fonts/noto-serif/noto-serif-v23-latin-itali...http/1.1
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/css/fonts/poppins/poppins-v21-latin-500.woff2http/1.1
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/css/fonts/poppins/poppins-v21-latin-300.woff2http/1.1
common.northwestern.edu/favicon.icohttp/1.1

Avoid chaining critical requests by reducing the length of chains, reducing the download size of resources, or deferring the download of unnecessary resources to improve page load.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

description: [preconnect](https://developer.chrome.com/docs/lighthouse/performance/uses-rel-preconnect/) hints help the browser establish a connection earlier in the page load, saving time when the first request for that origin is made. The following are the origins that the page preconnected to.
title: Preconnected origins
value: no origins were preconnected
description: Add [preconnect](https://developer.chrome.com/docs/lighthouse/performance/uses-rel-preconnect/) hints to your most important origins, but try to use no more than 4.
title: Preconnect candidates

Requests are blocking the page's initial render, which may delay LCP. Deferring or inlining can move these network requests out of the critical path.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

URLTransfer SizeDuration
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/css/styles.css75.4 KiB2.0 s
common.northwestern.edu/v9/css/nu.css17.5 KiB1.3 s
cdn-cookieyes.com/client_data/9c3338e8c0f82fb5466c9727/script.js11.8 KiB1.1 s

Reducing the download time of images can improve the perceived load time of the page and LCP. Learn more about optimizing image size

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

URLResource SizeEst Savings
students sitting outside on lawn chairs div#swiper-wrapper-410396ba638d1ddb1 > div.swiper-slide > a > img
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/priorities/resilient_students_1x.webp101.9 KiB92.9 KiB
student athletes running on a soccer field div#swiper-wrapper-410396ba638d1ddb1 > div.swiper-slide > a > img
/images/homepage/priorities/enhance_the_student_athlete_e...89.7 KiB80.6 KiB
orchestra performing with conductor, string instruments div#swiper-wrapper-410396ba638d1ddb1 > div.swiper-slide > a > img
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/priorities/creative_performing_arts_1x.webp85.5 KiB76.5 KiB
two students studying looking at a laptop screen div#swiper-wrapper-410396ba638d1ddb1 > div.swiper-slide > a > img
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/priorities/data_analytics_1x.webp80.7 KiB71.7 KiB
professor teaching a class div#swiper-wrapper-410396ba638d1ddb1 > div.swiper-slide > a > img
/images/homepage/priorities/outstanding_educational_exper...74.8 KiB65.7 KiB
solar farm with solar panels div#swiper-wrapper-410396ba638d1ddb1 > div.swiper-slide > a > img
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/priorities/sustainability_1x.webp70.8 KiB61.6 KiB
purple gloved hands pouring a solution into a glass bottle div#swiper-wrapper-410396ba638d1ddb1 > div.swiper-slide > a > img
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/priorities/advance_the_biosciences_1x.webp67.6 KiB58.6 KiB
four individuals from various NU departments talking on stage div#swiper-wrapper-410396ba638d1ddb1 > div.swiper-slide > a > img
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/priorities/free_expression_1x.webp67.8 KiB58.5 KiB
two women talking div#swiper-wrapper-410396ba638d1ddb1 > div.swiper-slide > a > img
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/priorities/investment_employees_1x.webp66.5 KiB57.5 KiB
students talking in a party div#swiper-wrapper-410396ba638d1ddb1 > div.swiper-slide > a > img
/images/homepage/priorities/promote_access_opportunity_di...66.3 KiB57.3 KiB
four students in a classroom working together div#swiper-wrapper-410396ba638d1ddb1 > div.swiper-slide > a > img
/images/homepage/priorities/social_sciences_global_studie...65.8 KiB56.8 KiB
students forming the Northwestern N and 2028 on a playing field section > div.social-media-cards > a.card > img
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/social/facebook-class-photo.webp35.0 KiB29.1 KiB
students being photographed holding up a first day of class sign section > div.social-media-cards > a.card > img
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/social/instagram-first-day-of-class.webp31.9 KiB26.0 KiB
lecture in the Block Museum of Art div.swiper-slide > div.wrap > div.image > img
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/explore/block_museum_of_art_2.webp48.3 KiB9.2 KiB
lab worker handling a human brain section > div.social-media-cards > a.card > img
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/social/linkedin-super-agers.webp10.1 KiB7.4 KiB
Commencement div.news-callout > div.wrap > div.image > img
www.northwestern.edu/images/news/2026/hdr670.webp20.3 KiB5.0 KiB

These insights are also available in the Chrome DevTools Performance Panel - record a trace to view more detailed information.

Redirects introduce additional delays before the page can be loaded. Learn how to avoid page redirects.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

Estimated savings: 1.3 s
URLTime Spent
northwestern.edu/1.3 s
www.northwestern.edu/0.0 ms

Time to Interactive is the amount of time it takes for the page to become fully interactive. Learn more about the Time to Interactive metric.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

TTI

The maximum potential First Input Delay that your users could experience is the duration of the longest task. Learn more about the Maximum Potential First Input Delay metric.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

Diagnostics

Reduce unused rules from stylesheets and defer CSS not used for above-the-fold content to decrease bytes consumed by network activity. Learn how to reduce unused CSS.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

Estimated savings: 450 ms 76.1 KiB
URLTransfer SizeEst Savings
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/css/styles.css74.8 KiB61.4 KiB
common.northwestern.edu/v9/css/nu.css16.9 KiB14.7 KiB

Reduce unused JavaScript and defer loading scripts until they are required to decrease bytes consumed by network activity. Learn how to reduce unused JavaScript.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

Estimated savings: 750 ms 168.7 KiB
URLTransfer SizeEst Savings
www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-7XLBH2NC54&cx=c&gtm=4e64h1152.8 KiB65.2 KiB
www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-JF7CBCTDRN152.2 KiB61.3 KiB
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/js/scripts.js73.3 KiB42.1 KiB

Consider reducing the time spent parsing, compiling, and executing JS. You may find delivering smaller JS payloads helps with this. Learn how to reduce Javascript execution time.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

URLTotal CPU TimeScript EvaluationScript Parse
www.northwestern.edu/2.0 s84 ms3.8 ms
Unattributable1.6 s42 ms0.0 ms
common.northwestern.edu/v9/js/nu-custom.js986 ms324 ms3.3 ms
www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-JF7CBCTDRN790 ms466 ms108 ms
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/js/scripts.js661 ms97 ms43 ms
www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-7XLBH2NC54&cx=c&gtm=4e64h1443 ms353 ms86 ms
cdn-cookieyes.com/client_data/9c3338e8c0f82fb5466c9727/banner.js206 ms127 ms5.5 ms
cdn-cookieyes.com/client_data/9c3338e8c0f82fb5466c9727/script.js185 ms161 ms7.9 ms
ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.7.1/jquery.min.js135 ms111 ms16 ms
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/js/custom.js?v=20260121123 ms81 ms3.5 ms
common.northwestern.edu/dept/4.0/css/styles.css50 ms0.0 ms0.0 ms

Consider reducing the time spent parsing, compiling and executing JS. You may find delivering smaller JS payloads helps with this. Learn how to minimize main-thread work

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

CategoryTime Spent
Other2.8 s
Script Evaluation1.9 s
Style & Layout1.6 s
Rendering479 ms
Script Parsing & Compilation277 ms
Parse HTML & CSS213 ms

Minifying JavaScript files can reduce payload sizes and script parse time. Learn how to minify JavaScript.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

Estimated savings: 0.0 ms 2.7 KiB
URLTransfer SizeEst Savings
common.gmc-cloud.net/mburger-component.js6.9 KiB2.7 KiB

Large network payloads cost users real money and are highly correlated with long load times. Learn how to reduce payload sizes.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

URLTransfer Size
dgwlxezajnh25.cloudfront.net/top-level-v9/research-impact-hero-v2.mp47.9 MiB
dgwlxezajnh25.cloudfront.net/top-level-v9/homepage-tiles/research-test-tube.mp4694.6 KiB
dgwlxezajnh25.cloudfront.net/top-level-v9/homepage-tiles/evanston-chicago.mp4655.9 KiB
/top-level-v9/homepage-tiles/arts-frida-imagineu-wirtz.mp4388.7 KiB
/top-level-v9/homepage-tiles/athletics-field-hockey-win.mp4323.7 KiB
www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-7XLBH2NC54&cx=c&gtm=4e64h1152.8 KiB
www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-JF7CBCTDRN152.5 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/priorities/resilient_students_1x.webp102.1 KiB
/images/homepage/priorities/enhance_the_student_athlete_e...89.5 KiB
www.northwestern.edu/images/homepage/priorities/creative_performing_arts_1x.webp85.5 KiB

More information about the performance of your application. These numbers don't directly affect the Performance score.

●Layout shift culprits
●Optimize DOM size
●Optimize viewport for mobile
●Minify CSS
●User Timing marks and measures 10 user timings
●Avoid long main-thread tasks 20 long tasks found
●Avoid non-composited animations 17 animated elements found
●Image elements have explicit `width` and `height`
●Page didn't prevent back/forward cache restoration
●Network Requests
●Network Round Trip Times 90 ms
●Server Backend Latencies 260 ms
●Tasks
●Diagnostics
●Metrics
●Screenshot Thumbnails
●Final Screenshot
●Script Treemap Data
●Resources Summary
●Initial server response time was short Root document took 320 ms
●Avoid large layout shifts 3 layout shifts found
○INP breakdown
96

Accessibility

These checks highlight opportunities to improve the accessibility of your web app. Automatic detection can only detect a subset of issues and does not guarantee the accessibility of your web app, so manual testing is also encouraged.

Contrast

Low-contrast text is difficult or impossible for many users to read. Learn how to provide sufficient color contrast.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

Failing Elements
stories of impact. section > div.section-top > p.subhead > span.fade-text

These are opportunities to improve the legibility of your content.

○Interactive controls are keyboard focusable
○Interactive elements indicate their purpose and state
○The page has a logical tab order
○Visual order on the page follows DOM order
○User focus is not accidentally trapped in a region
○The user's focus is directed to new content added to the page
○HTML5 landmark elements are used to improve navigation
○Offscreen content is hidden from assistive technology
○Custom controls have associated labels
○Custom controls have ARIA roles
●`[aria-*]` attributes match their roles
●`[aria-hidden="true"]` is not present on the document `<body>`
●`[role]`s have all required `[aria-*]` attributes
●`[role]` values are valid
●`[aria-*]` attributes have valid values
●`[aria-*]` attributes are valid and not misspelled
●Buttons have an accessible name
●Image elements have `[alt]` attributes
●`[user-scalable="no"]` is not used in the `<meta name="viewport">` element and the `[maximum-scale]` attribute is not less than 5.
●`button`, `link`, and `menuitem` elements have accessible names
●ARIA attributes are used as specified for the element's role
●`[aria-hidden="true"]` elements do not contain focusable descendents
●Elements use only permitted ARIA attributes
●Document has a `<title>` element
●`<html>` element has a `[lang]` attribute
●`<html>` element has a valid value for its `[lang]` attribute
●Links are distinguishable without relying on color.
●Links have a discernible name
●Lists contain only `<li>` elements and script supporting elements (`<script>` and `<template>`).
●List items (`<li>`) are contained within `<ul>`, `<ol>` or `<menu>` parent elements
●No element has a `[tabindex]` value greater than 0
●Touch targets have sufficient size and spacing.
●Heading elements appear in a sequentially-descending order
●Document has a main landmark.
●Deprecated ARIA roles were not used
●`<video>` elements contain a `<track>` element with `[kind="captions"]`
●Uses ARIA roles only on compatible elements
●Elements with visible text labels have matching accessible names.
○`[accesskey]` values are unique
○Elements with `role="dialog"` or `role="alertdialog"` have accessible names.
○ARIA input fields have accessible names
○ARIA `meter` elements have accessible names
○ARIA `progressbar` elements have accessible names
○Elements with an ARIA `[role]` that require children to contain a specific `[role]` have all required children.
○`[role]`s are contained by their required parent element
○Elements with the `role=text` attribute do not have focusable descendents.
○ARIA toggle fields have accessible names
○ARIA `tooltip` elements have accessible names
○ARIA `treeitem` elements have accessible names
○The page contains a heading, skip link, or landmark region
○`<dl>`'s contain only properly-ordered `<dt>` and `<dd>` groups, `<script>`, `<template>` or `<div>` elements.
○Definition list items are wrapped in `<dl>` elements
○ARIA IDs are unique
○No form fields have multiple labels
○`<frame>` or `<iframe>` elements have a title
○`<html>` element has an `[xml:lang]` attribute with the same base language as the `[lang]` attribute.
○Input buttons have discernible text.
○`<input type="image">` elements have `[alt]` text
○Form elements have associated labels
○The document does not use `<meta http-equiv="refresh">`
○`<object>` elements have alternate text
○Select elements have associated label elements.
○Skip links are focusable.
○Cells in a `<table>` element that use the `[headers]` attribute refer to table cells within the same table.
○`<th>` elements and elements with `[role="columnheader"/"rowheader"]` have data cells they describe.
○`[lang]` attributes have a valid value
○Tables have different content in the summary attribute and `<caption>`.
○All heading elements contain content.
○Image elements do not have `[alt]` attributes that are redundant text.
○Identical links have the same purpose.
○Tables use `<caption>` instead of cells with the `[colspan]` attribute to indicate a caption.
○`<td>` elements in a large `<table>` have one or more table headers.
100

Best Practices

●Uses HTTPS
●Avoids deprecated APIs
●Avoids third-party cookies
●Allows users to paste into input fields
●Avoids requesting the geolocation permission on page load
●Avoids requesting the notification permission on page load
●Displays images with correct aspect ratio
●Serves images with appropriate resolution
●Page has the HTML doctype
●Properly defines charset
●No browser errors logged to the console
●No issues in the `Issues` panel in Chrome Devtools
●Ensure CSP is effective against XSS attacks
●Use a strong HSTS policy
●Ensure proper origin isolation with COOP
●Mitigate DOM-based XSS with Trusted Types
●Detected JavaScript libraries
●Page has valid source maps
○Redirects HTTP traffic to HTTPS
○Mitigate clickjacking with XFO or CSP
92

SEO

These checks ensure that your page is following basic search engine optimization advice. There are many additional factors Lighthouse does not score here that may affect your search ranking, including performance on Core Web Vitals. Learn more about Google Search Essentials.

Content Best Practices

Descriptive link text helps search engines understand your content. Learn how to make links more accessible.

Why this matters

Performance issues directly impact user engagement and conversion rates.

Link destinationLink Text
/stories/2026/01/students-can-design-a-mural-for-the-new-...LEARN MORE

Format your HTML in a way that enables crawlers to better understand your app’s content.

○Structured data is valid
●Page isn’t blocked from indexing
●Document has a `<title>` element
●Document has a meta description
●Page has successful HTTP status code
●Links are crawlable
●robots.txt is valid
●Image elements have `[alt]` attributes
●Document has a valid `hreflang`
●Document has a valid `rel=canonical`

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