Sean Walsh
Sean is a Director at Intelligency heading up our digital marketing and client services operations. Sean has 15+ years experiencing working both in-house and agency with brands including Lloyds, Alstom, Hitachi, Lufthansa, Viaplay, DFDS Seaways and Mercedes-Benz.
Google has announced a significant change starting July 5, 2024: websites that do not function on mobile devices will no longer be indexed. This decision is part of Google’s ongoing mobile-first indexing initiative, reflecting the increasing importance of mobile accessibility.
What Does This Mean for Website Owners?
If your website is not optimized for mobile, it will not appear in Google’s search results. However, desktop versions that can be accessed on mobile devices will still be indexed. Google’s move emphasizes the necessity for websites to be mobile-friendly to maintain visibility in search results.
Special Cases
Google will continue to use its desktop crawler for specific types of content, such as product listings and Google for Jobs, ensuring these remain accessible even if they are not mobile-friendly.
Why the Change?
This update reflects the growing trend of mobile internet usage. By prioritizing mobile-friendly websites, Google aims to enhance user experience, ensuring that search results are relevant and accessible across all devices.
Why Mobile-First is the Best Approach
Adopting a mobile-first approach is essential in today’s digital landscape. Here are some compelling reasons why:
Increasing Mobile Traffic: As of 2023, over 58% of all website traffic comes from mobile devices. This trend is expected to grow, making mobile optimization critical for reaching the majority of users.
User Experience: Mobile-first design improves user experience, leading to longer site visits and higher engagement rates. A study by Google found that 53% of mobile users abandon sites that take longer than three seconds to load.
SEO Benefits: Mobile-friendly websites rank better in search results. With Google’s mobile-first indexing, having a mobile-optimized site is crucial for SEO success.
Competitive Advantage: Businesses that prioritize mobile optimization can stay ahead of competitors who neglect this aspect, capturing a larger share of mobile traffic and potential customers.
How to Prepare
To stay ahead, website owners should ensure their sites are mobile-friendly. Here are some tactics to improve your site:
Improve Loading Times
Optimize Images: Use formats like WebP, compress images, and implement lazy loading.
Minimize HTTP Requests: Reduce the number of elements on a page and combine files.
Use Browser Caching: Store resource files locally in the user’s browser.
Optimize CSS and JavaScript: Minify files and remove unused code.
Design a Mobile Navigation
Simplify Menus: Use dropdown or hamburger menus to keep the navigation clean.
Prioritize Important Links: Display the most critical links prominently.
Make Buttons Clickable: Ensure buttons are large enough to be easily tapped.
Include a Search Function: Provide a search bar to help users find content quickly.
Ensure Responsive Design
Use Flexible Grids and Layouts: Implement CSS grid or flexbox to adapt to different screen sizes.
Set Responsive Breakpoints: Define breakpoints for various device widths to adjust the layout.
Adapt Typography: Use relative units like ems or rems for font sizes to ensure readability.
Test on Multiple Devices: Regularly test your site on various devices and screen sizes to ensure consistency.
Conclusion
Google’s latest update underscores the importance of mobile optimization. As the internet becomes increasingly mobile-centric, ensuring your website is accessible on mobile devices is no longer optional but essential. Prepare now to stay visible and relevant in Google’s search results.
