Google Update Says Same Links For Desktop And Mobile Pages Are Essential

Google has updated its Search Central crawl budget guidelines, emphasizing the importance of using consistent links for websites using mobile and desktop versions of their content pages.

Google warned that not using the same links for both versions can slow crawl and affect visibility on search.

The update

Google has added new best practices to its crawl budget documentation page, saying it is now best practice for sites with desktop and mobile versions to use the same links for both.

Google also said that using different links could slow down the crawling of your website and the discovery of new pages.

Google announced the update saying:

“We have added a best practice about making sure all links are present on the mobile version to the crawl budget documentation.”

What the update says

Google`s new guidelines clearly recommend that sites using separate HTML for desktop and mobile versions use the same links.

Google’s new best practices in the crawl budget documentation reads:

“If your site uses separate HTML for mobile and desktop versions, provide the same set of links on the mobile version as you have on the desktop version. If it’s not possible to provide the same set of links on the mobile version, ensure that they’re included in a sitemap file. Google only indexes the mobile version of pages, and limiting the links shown there can slow down discovery of new pages.”

Why Google made the documentation update

Google’s update says it only indexes your site’s mobile pages, so if they’re not linked, it can slow crawlers on those pages and negatively affect your website’s search results visibility, especially on larger sites.

Making it essential information for sites using mobile and desktop versions.

Google wrote:

“For large websites with separate HTML on mobile and desktop versions, the discovery of new pages can be slower if the mobile version does not include all the links that are present on the desktop version.”

The latest crawl budget guidelines show Google prioritizes mobile indexing, and its advice on using the same link makes managing your desktop and mobile versions all the easier.

Terry O'Toole

Terry is a seasoned content marketing specialist with over six years of experience writing content that helps small businesses navigate where small businesses meet marketing - SEO, Social Media Marketing, etc. Terry has a proven track record of creating top-performing content in search results. When he is not writing content, Terry can be found on his boat in Italy or chilling in his villa in Spain.