Google's John Mueller recently emphasized that optimizing your desktop website remains crucial amid the move towards mobile-only indexing. While Google relies heavily on mobile content for ranking and indexing, Mueller stressed that you shouldn't neglect the desktop version.
His remarks were in response to a question from a company that operates a mobile-only website, whose representative questioned the importance of desktop search engine optimization (SEO) given the era of mobile-first indexing. Mueller emphasized that desktop optimization remains important despite advances in mobile technology, revealing that a significant number of users still use desktops for web browsing.
In his response, he emphasized that ignoring desktop SEO can hurt a site's overall rankings and traffic, as search engines still factor desktop compatibility and optimization into their evaluation. According to Mueller, the rise of mobile-first indexing means many businesses tend to overlook this aspect, so focusing on desktop SEO gives you an advantage.
Mueller also advocated for responsive websites that can adapt to both mobile and desktop interfaces.
Balancing desktop and mobile SEO: Mueller's advice
Not only will this improve the user experience, but it will also reduce the burden of dealing with two different layouts, saving developers time and resources, Mueller suggested.Interestingly, search engines tend to favor mobile-friendly websites, Mueller added, highlighting the importance of responsive web design.
He reiterated the importance of having a fully functional desktop website for search engines, crawlers, and above all desktop users. Don't over-emphasize mobile and ignore a significant amount of potential web traffic. According to Mueller, an effective approach is to consider both mobile and desktop platforms to cater to diverse user preferences.
In conclusion, Mueller emphasized that the ultimate goal is not just to optimize a website for Google, but to make it user-friendly and accessible on any device. He recommended a balance between SEO and user experience, emphasizing that a website's efficiency should not be compromised in order to achieve high rankings. For him, a responsive website across platforms such as mobile and desktop, as well as fast and accurate loading times, are key to a seamless browsing experience.