Mobile-First Indexing
Mobile-first indexing is a process where Google uses the mobile version of a website as the primary source for indexing and ranking pages in search results. This means that if your mobile site is missing content that’s available on desktop, Google may not see or rank that content.
Since most users now browse the web on mobile devices, Google shifted its approach to prioritize mobile usability and content. As of 2021, mobile-first indexing applies to all new and existing websites by default.
Why mobile-first indexing matters
With mobile-first indexing:
- The mobile version of your site becomes the main version in Google’s eyes
- If your mobile content is incomplete or poorly optimized, your search rankings can suffer
- Responsive design and mobile usability are now critical to SEO success
Key things Google looks at for mobile-first indexing
Here’s what Google expects from your mobile site:
| Factor | Importance |
|---|---|
| Same content | Ensure mobile and desktop versions show the same core content |
| Structured data | Include schema markup on both versions of the page |
| Metadata | Titles and meta descriptions should be the same across mobile and desktop |
| Internal linking | Navigation and internal links should be present on the mobile site |
| Page performance | Mobile speed and usability directly impact rankings |
HTML example: Mobile-friendly viewport tag
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
This tag ensures your site scales properly on mobile devices, a key step in mobile optimization.
Best practices for mobile-first indexing
- Use responsive design so your site adapts to all screen sizes
- Make sure your mobile content matches your desktop version
- Avoid hiding important content on mobile (e.g., behind tabs or accordions)
- Include the same structured data and metadata on mobile
- Regularly test your site with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test
- Optimize mobile page speed and avoid intrusive pop-ups
In summary, mobile-first indexing means Google primarily looks at your mobile site when deciding how to rank your pages. To stay competitive, your mobile version must offer the same value, structure, and content as your desktop version — or better.