What is Mobile-First Indexing?
TL;DR
Google primarily uses the mobile version of your website for Indexing and ranking. This means if content is hidden on mobile or your mobile site is slower than desktop, your rankings suffer. Responsive Design isn't optional, it's the baseline. Test your site on actual mobile devices, not just browser simulators.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mobile-First Indexing
What is mobile-first indexing?
Google primarily uses your mobile site version for ranking and indexing, not your desktop version. If your mobile site has less content or slower speed than desktop, that's what Google judges you on. All sites are now on mobile-first indexing.
How do I know if my site is mobile-friendly?
Use Google's Mobile-Friendly Test tool or check the 'Mobile Usability' report in Search Console. Test on actual phones too, simulator tools miss some issues. Check text size, button spacing, and whether content requires horizontal scrolling.
What if my mobile and desktop sites have different content?
Make sure your mobile site has all the content you want indexed. Hidden content (like accordions) is now indexed but may carry less weight. Critical content should be visible by default on mobile, not hidden behind clicks.
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