Website Speed Optimization: 15 Techniques That Work in 2026

Why Website Speed Is More Important Than Ever in 2026 Website speed has always mattered for user experience, but in 2026 it matters for an additional reason: Google's Core Web Vitals are a confirmed ranking factor, and the gap between fast and slow sites in search rankings has widened measurably. Sites that score 90+ on Lighthouse Performance consistently outrank equivalent content with lower scores, all else being equal. Equally important, the rise of AI-powered search — where AI summarizes con