Google — page experience NOT a separate ranking system; CWVs don't guarantee rankings

Claim: Google is explicit that page experience "was not a separate ranking system" and that good Core Web Vitals scores "don't guarantee good rankings"; relevance and content dominate.

Source: Google Search Central; Danny Sullivan.

Confidence: Verified (primary Google source).

Why this matters for Candid: Tier 1 work is table stakes — it changes CONVERSION of existing demand, not how much demand the site captures. Agency claims that a redesign will "transform" lead flow are wrong.