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Mobile First Index

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What is the Mobile First Index

What is the Mobile First Index?

Google started an initiative some time ago: the Mobile-First Index. Their goal is to highlight the mobile version of a website as the most important. In contrast, Google used to use the desktop-first indexing approach. This means that crawlers determined rankings based on information from the desktop version of a website.

According to Google, all rankings, both mobile and desktop, are now based on the mobile crawl. The only exception is if a page is a desktop-only site, which is strongly discouraged in this day and age!

 

What you need to know about the Mobile-First Index

Google has found that adults spend an average of 2-3 hours a day on their cell phones to browse the Internet on the go. This means that mobile users already make up the majority of online users. To better serve these users, it is not at all surprising that Google is taking more initiative in this area.

Google's goal was to have only one Index and not to have both a desktopIndex as well as a mobile Index. However, if you now have content that is on your desktop site but NOT on your mobile site, you will not rank for that content!

 

MFI Tips and Facts

  • If there is a difference between your desktop and mobile version, Google will only index what is on your mobile version. Make sure your most important content is on your mobile version!
  • The level of your mobile traffic has nothing to do with when and if your sites are on the mobile first Index be converted.
  • If your website is mobile responsive, all is (probably) well.
  • Page speed on mobile becomes incredibly important! If a website is really slow, it could lead to a demotion in the Ranking lead.
  • If your website is not rendered properly, it may be lost from the Index from Google fall out.

 

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FAQ

What is the Mobile First Index? arrow icon in accordion
The Mobile First Index is a strategy by Google that prioritizes the performance of websites on mobile devices. It is based on the assumption that many users nowadays surf the web more on their mobile devices than on desktop computers. The Mobile First Index means that Google focuses on the mobile version when indexing a website and treats the desktop version as secondary.
Why did Google introduce the Mobile First Index? arrow icon in accordion
Google introduced the Mobile First Index to provide a better and more user-friendly mobile experience for its users. Google also ensures that the mobile version of a website is optimized accordingly to provide the best user experience.
What impact does the Mobile First Index have on SEO? arrow icon in accordion
The Mobile First Index has a significant impact on the SEO strategy of a website. It is important that the mobile version of a website is optimized and that the content corresponds to the desktop version. If a website is not optimized for the mobile version, this can lead to lower rankings in the search results.
Are there certain criteria that should be considered for a mobile website? arrow icon in accordion
Yes, there are some criteria that should be considered for a mobile website. These include speed, usability, adaptation to different screen sizes and structuring of content. It is also important to ensure that the content of the desktop version is also included in the mobile version.
How to determine if the website is optimized for mobile-first index? arrow icon in accordion
There are some tools that can be used to determine if the website is optimized for the Mobile First Index. For example, Google offers the "Mobile Friendly Test" test tool, which provides a visual representation of the mobile device's features and a list of the website's optimization requirements. There are also other tools, such as the "Google PageSpeed Insights".
What are the options for optimizing a website for the Mobile First Index? arrow icon in accordion
There are a few ways to optimize a website for the Mobile First Index. First, make sure that the mobile version of a website matches the desktop version. This includes adjusting screen sizes, using Responsive Web Design, and optimizing content and images. In addition, the loading time for the website on mobile devices should be optimized.
Is it possible for a website to rank better in search results if it is optimized for the Mobile First Index? arrow icon in accordion
Yes, it is possible that a website optimized for the Mobile First Index will rank better in search results. Google evaluates websites during indexing primarily on the basis of usability and mobility. If a website is optimized for the mobile version, it will rank higher in the search results and thus be found better.
What impact does the Mobile First Index have on the user experience? arrow icon in accordion
The Mobile First Index has a significant impact on the user experience. If a website is optimized for the mobile version, it will provide a better user experience because the content and features are adapted for the mobile device. Also, a fast loading time will improve the user experience.
What changes need to be made when optimizing a website for the Mobile First Index? arrow icon in accordion
In order to optimize a website for the Mobile First Index, a few changes need to be made. First, it must be ensured that the mobile version of a website matches the desktop version. In addition, the loading time for the website must be optimized and the content must be adapted to the respective screen size.
How to prevent the website from not meeting the Mobile First Index? arrow icon in accordion
To ensure that the website complies with the Mobile First Index, a number of measures must be taken. It is important that the mobile version of the website matches the desktop version and that the content is optimized accordingly. In addition, the loading time should be kept as low as possible. User-friendliness should also always be kept in mind.

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About the author

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Niels Stuck

Niels Stuck has 10 years of SEO experience and is the founder of the SEO agency "WOLF OF SEO". He gained practical experience by building 20+ affiliate sites alongside his marketing studies. Finally, he wrote his bachelor thesis about the influence of SEO on Google rankings, traffic and sales development in the form of a case study. Today, he specializes in e-commerce SEO and helps more than 80 companies build a sustainable organic revenue channel through SEO. Niels advises startups, established brands and corporations in search engine optimization of their online stores and primarily focuses on data-based content strategies and link building. He shares his knowledge about SEO and online marketing in this blog, as a speaker at conferences, in podcasts and as a guest author for OMT, Forbes, Starting Up and many more platforms.
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