In June of 2021, Google went live with its new Page Experience update. The update incorporated several new metrics, known as core web vitals. While the update has been live for over a year now, a study has found that barely a third of websites are equipped to meet Google's new criteria. Ultimately, failure to meet the core web vitals requirements means your website will be "penalized" by showing up lower in the search results – or, worse, not showing up at all.

Because the update applies to all kinds of websites, it's important to understand exactly what core web vitals are, why they matter, and how you can optimize your website to retain your search rankings. This article breaks down the bigger questions surrounding the update, tools you can use to improve your core web vitals, and a few tips from ForeFront's web developers on navigating the entire process.