Google recently announced that its search engine will begin mobile-first indexing.

What Is Google Mobile-First Indexing?

As of July 1, 2019, Google will prioritize the mobile version of content rather than the desktop version of the same content for both indexing and search engine results page (SERP) ranking. Mobile-first indexing will be the default for all new websites, which Google describes in a blog post as “new to the web or previously unknown to Google search.”

Older and existing websites will be monitored according to Google’s best practices, as usual. If a website doesn’t have a mobile version, the site will also be indexed via best practices.

How Will Google Mobile-First Indexing Affect Marketers?

In response to mobile-first indexing and updated mobile search results pages, marketers will need to make sure their websites are mobile-optimized to improve their rankings on Google.

What Does Google Recommend For Brands With Separate Desktop And Mobile Sites?

If brands have separate desktop and mobile sites, Google suggests merging the two. If that’s not possible, marketers should make sure the content is consistent between both sites and features structured data on both versions. Google also suggests including metadata and verifying both sites in the Google Search Console.

As more consumers absorb content through their mobile devices, Google is placing higher priority on mobile user experience with regular updates.

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