GTmetrix Performance Tester - PageSpeed, Core Web Vitals & Optimization Recommendations

Test website performance using GTmetrix. Get PageSpeed grades, Core Web Vitals (LCP, TBT, CLS), loading times, page size, request counts, and actionable optimization recommendations. Test from 7 global server locations. BYOK support for free GTmetrix API key.

Features

• Performance Scores - GTmetrix Grade (A-F), Performance Score, Structure Score
• Core Web Vitals - LCP, TBT, CLS - the metrics Google uses for ranking
• Loading Metrics - First Contentful Paint, Time to Interactive, Fully Loaded Time
• Page Analysis - Total page size, request count, resource breakdown
• Multiple Locations - Test from 7 global server locations
• Optimization Tips - Actionable recommendations with estimated savings
• GTmetrix Report URL - Direct link to full GTmetrix report
• Batch Processing - Test multiple URLs in one run
• BYOK Support - Use your own free GTmetrix API key
• Demo Mode - Test with sample data before going live

Who Should Use This Actor?

SEO Agencies

Run GTmetrix audits for client websites alongside Lighthouse testing. GTmetrix provides complementary insights with its unique Grade and Structure Score metrics.

Web Performance Engineers

Get detailed resource breakdowns and optimization recommendations. GTmetrix's recommendations often differ from Lighthouse, providing additional optimization opportunities.

E-Commerce Teams

Monitor product page performance across regions. Test from different locations to ensure fast load times for your target markets.

Marketing Teams

Create before/after performance reports for optimization projects. GTmetrix's grading system (A-F) is easy for non-technical stakeholders to understand.

Web Developers

Test site performance from multiple locations before and after deployments. Catch region-specific performance issues.

Freelance SEO Consultants

Include GTmetrix reports in client deliverables. The Grade + Score format is client-friendly and widely recognized.

Quick Start

Demo Mode (Free Test)

{
  "demoMode": true
}

Single URL Test

{
  "urls": ["https://example.com"],
  "location": "dallas",
  "demoMode": false
}

Batch Performance Test

{
  "urls": [
    "https://example.com",
    "https://example.com/products",
    "https://competitor.com"
  ],
  "location": "dallas",
  "gtmetrixApiKey": "your-free-api-key",
  "demoMode": false
}

Multi-Location Test

{
  "urls": ["https://example.com"],
  "locations": ["dallas", "london", "sydney", "tokyo"],
  "gtmetrixApiKey": "your-free-api-key",
  "demoMode": false
}

Input Parameters

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
urls	array	-	URLs to test (required unless demoMode)
location	string	"dallas"	Test server location
locations	array	-	Multiple locations for multi-region testing
gtmetrixApiKey	string	-	Your GTmetrix API key (free tier available, BYOK)
proxyConfiguration	object	Residential	Proxy settings
demoMode	boolean	true	Return sample data for testing
webhookUrl	string	-	Webhook URL for results delivery

Available Test Locations

Location ID	City	Region
dallas	Dallas, TX	North America
vancouver	Vancouver, BC	North America
saopaulo	São Paulo	South America
london	London	Europe
mumbai	Mumbai	Asia
sydney	Sydney	Oceania
tokyo	Tokyo	Asia

Output Format

{
  "url": "https://example.com",
  "gtmetrixGrade": "A",
  "performanceScore": 92,
  "structureScore": 88,
  "coreWebVitals": {
    "largestContentfulPaint": 1245,
    "totalBlockingTime": 150,
    "cumulativeLayoutShift": 0.05
  },
  "metrics": {
    "firstContentfulPaint": 890,
    "timeToInteractive": 2100,
    "fullyLoadedTime": 3500,
    "speedIndex": 1450
  },
  "pageStats": {
    "pageSize": 1524000,
    "requests": 45,
    "htmlSize": 45000,
    "cssSize": 120000,
    "jsSize": 450000,
    "imageSize": 850000,
    "fontSize": 95000
  },
  "recommendations": [
    {
      "name": "Serve images in next-gen formats",
      "score": 45,
      "savings": "234 KB",
      "priority": "high"
    }
  ],
  "reportUrl": "https://gtmetrix.com/reports/example.com/...",
  "location": "dallas",
  "testedAt": "2026-01-28T10:30:00.000Z"
}

Pricing (Pay-Per-Event)

Event	Description	Price
test_completed	Per test completed	$0.08

Example costs:

• 1 URL: 1 x $0.08 = $0.08
• 10 URLs: 10 x $0.08 = $0.80
• 50 URLs x 4 locations: 200 x $0.08 = $16.00
• Demo mode: $0.00

Note: GTmetrix API costs are separate if using BYOK. GTmetrix offers a free tier with limited monthly tests.

Common Scenarios

Scenario 1: Before/After Optimization

{
  "urls": ["https://your-site.com/slow-page"],
  "location": "dallas",
  "demoMode": false
}

Test before making changes, optimize, then test again to measure improvement.

Scenario 2: Multi-Region Performance

{
  "urls": ["https://your-global-site.com"],
  "locations": ["dallas", "london", "tokyo", "sydney"],
  "gtmetrixApiKey": "your-key",
  "demoMode": false
}

Test from multiple regions to ensure consistent performance globally.

Scenario 3: Competitor Benchmarking

{
  "urls": [
    "https://your-site.com",
    "https://competitor1.com",
    "https://competitor2.com"
  ],
  "location": "dallas",
  "demoMode": false
}

Compare GTmetrix grades and scores against competitors.

Webhook & Automation Integration

Zapier / Make.com / n8n

1. Create a webhook trigger in your automation platform
2. Copy the webhook URL to webhookUrl
3. Route results to dashboards, alerts, or reports

Popular automations:

• Poor grades -> Slack alert (performance degradation)
• Test results -> Google Sheets (performance tracking dashboard)
• Weekly reports -> Email (client performance updates)
• Competitor comparisons -> Airtable (benchmark database)

Apify Scheduled Runs

Schedule weekly or monthly runs for continuous performance monitoring.

FAQ

Q: How do I get a GTmetrix API key?

A: Create a free account at gtmetrix.com. The API key is available in your account settings. The free tier includes a limited number of monthly tests.

Q: What is the GTmetrix Grade?

A: GTmetrix Grade (A-F) combines Performance Score and Structure Score into a single, easy-to-understand grade. It's a GTmetrix-specific metric, not from Google Lighthouse.

Q: How is this different from the Lighthouse Checker?

A: GTmetrix uses its own testing infrastructure and scoring system. It provides a complementary view with GTmetrix Grade, Structure Score, and region-specific testing. Many SEO professionals use both tools.

Q: Can I test from multiple locations?

A: Yes. Use the locations array to test from multiple cities simultaneously. This is useful for international sites.

Q: How often should I run tests?

A: Weekly for ongoing monitoring. Before and after any site changes for optimization verification. Monthly for competitor benchmarking.

Common Problems & Solutions

"GTmetrix API limit reached"

• The free tier has monthly test limits
• Upgrade your GTmetrix plan or reduce test frequency
• Stagger tests across multiple days

"Slow test completion"

• GTmetrix tests can take 30-60 seconds per URL
• Large pages may take longer
• Multi-location tests run sequentially

"Different scores than GTmetrix website"

• Test conditions (browser, network throttling) may differ slightly
• API results use the same engine but may vary from web interface
• Run multiple tests and average for accuracy

"Demo data showing"

• Set demoMode: false and optionally provide your GTmetrix API key

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