Google is finalizing its migration to a mobile-first index for Google Search. John Mueller from Google announced By July 5, 2024, the remaining sites still being crawled by the desktop Googlebot will switch to mobile Googlebot.
Most websites already use a smartphone crawler, so no action is required for the majority. However, sites that are inaccessible via mobile devices will no longer be indexed.
While Googlebot Desktop may still appear in server logs for certain features, such as product listings and Google for Jobs, the primary indexing will be done with Googlebot smartphones.
You can check the Crawl stats section of your Search Console account to see what types of Googlebot are crawling on your website (Menu Settings => Crawl stats => By Googlebot type).
FAQs
Q: What is mobile-first indexing? A: Mobile-first indexing means that Google predominantly uses the mobile version of a website’s content for indexing and ranking. This approach aligns with the increasing number of users accessing the internet via mobile devices.
Q: When will mobile-first indexing be fully implemented? A: Mobile-first indexing will be fully implemented after July 5, 2024. After this date, all remaining sites that were still being crawled by the desktop Googlebot will switch to the mobile Googlebot.
Q: What does my website need to do to prepare for mobile-first indexing? A: Most websites don’t need to take any action, as they are already being crawled by a smartphone crawler. However, if your website’s content is not accessible via mobile devices, you need to ensure it becomes accessible; otherwise, it will not be indexed or ranked by Google.
Q: How will this change affect websites currently being crawled by the desktop Googlebot? A: Websites currently being crawled by the desktop Googlebot will switch to being crawled by the mobile Googlebot. If these sites are not accessible via mobile devices, they will no longer be indexed or ranked by Google.
Q: Will desktop Googlebot be completely retired? A: No, desktop Googlebot will still be used for certain search features such as crawling for product listings and Google for Jobs. It may still appear in server logs and reporting for these specific purposes.
Q: How can I check if my site is mobile-friendly? A: You can use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool to check if your site is accessible and functional on mobile devices. Additionally, reviewing your site with Google Search Console can help identify any mobile usability issues.
Q: What happens if my site is not mobile-friendly by the deadline? A: If your site is not mobile-friendly and cannot be accessed by mobile devices, it will not be indexed or ranked by Google after July 5, 2024. This could significantly impact your site’s visibility and traffic from Google Search.
Q: How can I ensure my site is ready for mobile-first indexing? A: To ensure your site is ready, verify that:
- The mobile version of your site contains the same content as the desktop version.
- Structured data is present on both versions of your site.
- Metadata is consistent across both versions.
- Your site loads quickly and provides a good user experience on mobile devices.
Q: Where can I get more information about mobile-first indexing? A: You can find more information on Google’s official blog and help center. Additionally, resources like Google Search Console can provide insights and guidance on optimizing your site for mobile-first indexing.
