Mobile usage continues to grow globally, with more people relying on their phones and tablets for search queries and web browsing.
As online visibility becomes increasingly important, seo agency london and other specialists must adapt to these trends.
As a result, Google has transitioned to using mobile versions of websites to index and rank pages – an approach called mobile-first indexing.
What is mobile-first indexing?
Simply put, mobile-first indexing means that Google primarily considers the mobile version of a site’s pages when crawling, indexing, and ranking content. If a site doesn’t have a mobile version, Google may index the desktop pages instead.
Why does mobile-first indexing matter?
With over 60.9% of searches coming from mobile devices globally, sites need to optimize for mobile browsers to attract users and traffic. If a site isn’t mobile-friendly, it risks lower visibility in search results on mobile.
When did mobile-first indexing roll out?
Google first began testing mobile-first indexing in 2016. In 2018, Google started automatically migrating sites to mobile-first indexing when ready. As of 2022, mobile-first indexing is enabled for most sites.
What do I need to do to prepare for mobile-first indexing?
Here are key things every site owner should check:
- Ensure your site has a mobile version – There should be a dedicated mobile site or responsive design that adapts to any device size.
- Make content easily accessible – Content must load quickly on mobile and be easy to read and navigate without pinching/zooming. Text size should be legible without squinting.
- Check structured data – Ensure markup and schemas are mobile-friendly and don’t cause display issues.
- Test site speed – Sites should load in under 5 seconds on mobile devices over 3G. Test with Google Pagespeed Insights.
- Fix indexing issues – Use the Mobile Usability Report in Google Search Console to catch crawl errors, duplicate content, and more.
What happens if my site isn’t mobile-friendly?
If Google discovers issues when crawling the mobile version of pages, it may decide to use the desktop version instead until fixes are made. This can result in lower mobile visibility.
How do I know if my site uses mobile-first indexing?
In Google Search Console, check the Index Coverage report and look at the Page Index Type dimension. If set to “Mobile”, mobile-first indexing is active and working properly for your verified site property.
Should I make changes to my desktop or mobile site first?
Focus on optimizing your mobile pages first since those directly impact indexing and visibility. Make mobile fixes before tackling any separate desktop site issues to avoid problems.
What are some best practices for optimizing under mobile-first indexing?
| Goal | Best Practice |
| Attract Clicks | Use compelling headlines and preview snippets |
| Increase Engagement | Prioritize easy reading and navigation |
| Improve Rankings | Fix site speed and technical issues |
Table outlining goals and best practices for optimization
What factors help pages rank higher in mobile search results?
Google wants to surface fast, relevant, high-quality content to mobile users. Pages tend to rank better when they:
- Load fast on mobile devices over 3G/4G connections
- Use legible text sizes without squinting or zooming
- Are easy to interact with using touch gestures
- Solve search queries with relevant, original content
Focusing efforts on improving these aspects can directly impact mobile search visibility and traffic.
Could my site be negatively impacted if it’s not mobile-friendly?
Yes – with mobile usage rising globally, sites that fail to offer a good mobile experience risk seeing their traffic and visibility decline over time.
Unoptimized, clunky sites frustrate users, hurt click-through rates, increase bounce rates, and signal poor quality to Google. Prioritizing mobile optimization is crucial for sustainable growth.
How can I optimize my site for 5G networks?
To prepare for the rise of 5G globally, test that your site loads fast, even over faster connections, using tools like WebPageTest and PageSpeed Insights.
Then work to optimize the underlying site architecture and infrastructure to handle increased mobile traffic loads when 5G networks become mainstream.
Key Takeaways
Mobile usage continues to grow globally, making mobile optimization critical for sites that want to rank well and convert visitors into customers.
By properly optimizing website speed, navigation, content, and infrastructure for mobile devices, seo agency london and other businesses can effectively adapt to Google’s mobile-first indexing rollout.
Let us know in the comments if you have any other questions about getting your site ready for the mobile future!
