Description: Total blocking time refers to the total amount of time a web page remains inactive and cannot respond to user input, measured in milliseconds. This metric is crucial for web performance optimization as it directly affects user experience. When a page is blocked, users cannot interact with it, which can lead to frustration and ultimately a high abandonment rate. Total blocking time occurs when the main thread of the browser is busy processing tasks, such as executing scripts or manipulating the DOM, preventing input events like clicks or scrolls from being responded to. Extended blocking time can result from heavy scripts, resources that take time to load, or poor management of asynchronous tasks. Therefore, reducing this time is essential for improving interactivity and the perceived speed of a web page. Tools like Google Lighthouse and WebPageTest allow developers to measure and analyze total blocking time, providing recommendations for optimizing performance and enhancing user experience on websites.
