Up to 59.45% of all web traffic globally comes from mobile devices, per Statista. This makes mobile-first indexing more crucial than ever for search visibility.
Evolving user behavior has changed how Google evaluates and ranks websites.
For website owners and SEO professionals, this isn’t just another technical requirement.
If your site isn’t optimized for mobile devices, you risk losing visibility in search results, as Google prioritizes mobile-friendly sites for indexing and ranking.
What is mobile-first indexing?
Mobile-first indexing means Google uses the mobile version of your website as the primary basis for indexing and ranking rather than the desktop version.
The evolution of mobile-first indexing tells an interesting story about the changing landscape of internet usage.
When Google first noticed the mobile surge in 2015, they launched the “Mobilegeddon” update, marking mobile-friendliness as a ranking factor.
By 2016, they began testing mobile-first indexing on select sites, leading to a gradual rollout in 2018.
The transition to mobile-first indexing has not been without its challenges.
Initially slated for completion by September 2020, the deadline was delayed due to the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
After several adjustments, the initiative was successfully finalized in October 2023. (Or, technically, maybe last June?)
Fast-forward to 2025, and we’re at a crucial junction: sites without mobile accessibility face the risk of becoming non-indexable.
Best practices for mobile-first success
If your site still isn’t optimized for mobile devices, you’re likely experiencing significant drops in search visibility – or worse, complete removal from search results.