How do I use Google’s mobile-friendly test?
Since Google has retired the Mobile-Friendly Test, you’ll instead need to visit PageSpeed Insights. Some of the steps are similar; the things you need to do are listed below.
- Go to the PageSpeed Insights page. Search for PageSpeed Insights in your preferred search engine, and it should be the first result.
- Enter the URL of your page/website. Include “https://” at the beginning of your URL.
- Click on “Analyze”. Google will then assess your website’s performance and give you a score. You’ll see if you’ve passed or failed the CoreWeb Vitals test.
- Assess your results. Look at any recommendations given and implement these in your website backend. Google grades websites based on SEO, best practices, accessibility, and performance.
This is the most direct way to test your page speed, but you can access it via Google Search Console as well. Use Search Console to check all of your URLs and test them accordingly.
What are the main criteria Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test uses?
Google uses numerous elements to determine the mobile optimization of a website, and understanding each one is crucial. Tools of this kind look at aspects such as:
- File sizes: Image sizes and formats can impact your website’s mobile speed; consider using WebP instead of JPEG and “large” instead of “full size”.
- Font sizes: Users should be able to read your text without needing to zoom, but you should also ensure that your fonts aren’t too large. Test your font sizes in your website builder’s backend on different devices.
- Viewport configuration: This determines how your page adapts to different screen sizes.
- Mobile-Friendly content: Your page must avoid elements that don’t perform well on mobile. For example, you might need to look at your Flash plugins.
- Accessibility: Contrasting colors and other elements can have an influence on your website accessibility, especially on mobile.
- Loading speed: PageSpeed Insights places a strong emphasis on fast loading speeds, especially for mobile devices.
What happens if my website fails Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test?
It’s not uncommon to see that your website has failed CoreWeb Vitals if you’re new, but Google provides the information you need to fix this. After testing and diagnosing, Google shows scores for different categories (e.g. Largest Contentful Paint).
When you scroll down, you’ll see Google’s recommendations based on priority (go to the “Diagnostics” section to find this information). You might see suggestions related to:
- Configuring CSS
- Changing file sizes
- Altering JavaScript usage
- Reviewing your cache policy
Work through these diagnoses based on the priority that Google gives them in your assessment. Test your website/pages each time you make adjustments. Note that the main diagnosis is based on a 28-day data collection period.
Does Google penalize websites that aren’t mobile-friendly?
Google has made mobile-friendliness a core component of its ranking protocols since 2015. Over the years, and as more people have bought smartphones and tablets, Google has further emphasized the importance of mobile optimization in subsequent updates.
Your website might not feature as highly in search results if it isn’t optimized, so prioritizing mobile-friendliness is an excellent idea. Do this by adopting a mobile-first approach and considering the most important practices.
How does the Mobile-Friendly Test affect my website’s SEO?
Building a mobile-friendly website requires careful attention to avoiding certain common pitfalls. Some of these include: Appearing higher in mobile search results is crucial for driving traffic, especially when the majority of website visits occur from mobile nowadays.
What are some common mistakes that make websites not mobile-friendly?
It is crucial to avoid common pitfalls when creating mobile-friendly websites, such as:
- Flash compatibility: Some mobile browsers do not support Flash, so please consider using an alternative for widespread accessibility.
- Fixed-width viewports: Opt for flexible viewports instead of fixed-width ones to accommodate varied screen sizes.
- Small font sizes: Make your website text readable. Stick to 18-21px for main body text and around 32px for H2s.
- Link density: Spread out your links to prevent unintended clicks and improve user experience.
Does Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test apply to all types of websites?
Yes; whether you’re profit, non-profit, or hobby – or a small business/corporation, you must adhere to Google’s mobile-friendliness procedures.
- Mobile web traffic may play an increasingly significant role in the future, potentially influenced by the ongoing growth of internet penetration and advancements in smartphone technology.
- A mobile-optimized website with the same level of content as one that isn’t is more likely to rank higher for the same result.
Conclusion
Though Google has retired its Mobile-Friendly Test tool, alternatives – such as PageSpeed Insights – exist. Use these to understand how your website performs on mobile devices and implement the feedback.
Prioritize the most pressing concerns and frequently test your pages, especially if you’ve just made major updates. Utilize tools in Google Search Console, and if you have the technical skills, consider testing with Lighthouse.
Implement a mobile-first approach to optimize your scores and prepare for future traffic by treating desktop and mobile pages the same.
