How Mobile SEO and Desktop SEO are different?

People will be able to access your website whenever they want and from wherever they are thanks to advances in technology. As a direct consequence of this, Google began to modify their search algorithm to better accommodate users conducting searches on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. The ongoing push for an improved user experience on the internet is changing the way search engine optimization (SEO) strategies are implemented. 

You can see the impact mobile has on search engines like Google when you take into consideration the fact that mobile devices account for 70 percent of all time spent online. Google has made mobile-first indexing a priority in order to rank highly in search results because mobile is becoming increasingly important. What sets search engine optimization for mobile devices apart from that of desktop computers? 

What is the difference between SEO for mobile and SEO for desktop? 

If you’re thinking, “What’s the difference between mobile SEO and desktop SEO?” consider the following while developing your SEO strategy: 

1. Search results

Mobile: Due to mobile-first indexing, mobile and desktop search results will be comparable but not identical. Google displays search results based on user expectations, which vary by device. It is essential to understand the differences between desktop and mobile search in order to create the most effective desktop SEO and mobile SEO strategies. 

The most significant difference between desktop and mobile search results is the presentation of text results. 

In general, mobile text results are larger because mobile places a greater focus on visuals. Frequently, photos or videos will accompany listings. Mobile search results are presented as cards with a border, which consumes more space. 

Hence, smartphones may typically display two to three listings simultaneously. Because each swipe is brief, mobile users must do many swipes to navigate through search results. As a result of shorter swipes, it takes longer for users to reach the bottom of the search results. 

So, individuals are more inclined to select the first few results rather than continuing to browse down. 

Desktop: The majority of desktop screens can display up to five text results simultaneously. When more results are displayed at once, it is simpler to scroll through the results. 

Visitors can quickly reach the bottom of the search page. 

2. Rate of click-throughs

Mobile: The primary focus of SEO is where your search results appear on search pages, so it is important to note how this can affect the significance of ranking in the top three. 

When comparing the click-through rate (CTR) between mobile and desktop, you’ll notice that the click-through rate for mobile declines significantly less than that of desktop. On mobile, the CTR for the first position is 24%, while the second position’s CTR is 14%. This CTR continues to decline until it reaches position five. From fourth to fifth position, the CTR increases from 6.8% to 9%. 

Why then does the CTR decline less for mobile? Some may attribute this to the unique cards used for each listing. 

Since each listing is clearly separated, it is simpler to examine individual entries. In addition, photos in listings may explain why the decline is not as significant. A visually appealing image or thumbnail for a video can encourage mobile users to click on other listings. 

Desktop: The desktop’s wider, landscape-oriented display provides more space for search results. 

Multiple results can be displayed simultaneously, as well as multiple sponsored ads and search features to the side of results. On a desktop, the CTR for position one falls to 31%, but drops significantly to 15% for position two. This decline may be the result of fewer listings per screen. 

Since users can view up to five listings on a single page, they choose the first one rather than evaluating the other options. 

3. Search Format

Mobile: Your website may also be affected by search layout changes dependent on screen size for desktop and mobile devices. 

Search results on mobile devices are vertical and much smaller than on desktops. Google’s mobile search results sometimes include an image and take up more space than desktop results, thus searches normally display only one or two results. It’s important to know which search result features affect mobile versus desktop. . Knowledge panels, which appear on the right side of desktop pages, appear at the top of mobile pages. 

They also take up more space, pushing search results down the page and requiring more scrolling and swiping. 

Mobile results have exclusive features. Google’s algorithms display interesting web pages in the Interesting Finds snippet. 

The site path appears above the search result title. Instead of a URL, mobile displays the website’s name with a favicon and the path (e.g., “Petfinder > Cats”). 

Desktop: Desktop has several functions that mobile also possesses. Featured snippets, information panels, People Also Ask, and local 3-packs are examples. These features push organic results down the page, but less than on mobile. 

Featured snippets, information panels, People Also Ask, and local 3-packs are examples. These features push organic results down the page, but less than on mobile. 

Conclusion 

After learning the difference between mobile and desktop searches, you may be asking why Google search results are different on mobile. It’s because website look changes more than search rankings. Why are mobile Google search results different? The mobile experience is the key reason Google search results differ from desktop. Mobile users demand information fast so obviously, the speed has to be higher and things will be different on that platform. 

Google breaks up listings with graphics to make them easier to peruse. Desktop searchers can browse longer. Because users have more time to peruse listings, they are more text-based. That makes sense, right? So, if you have understood this article or have doubts per se, please share them with us in the comments section below. Also, if you are looking to boost your website’s SEO, you can do that with the help of a managed SEO service provider. It will help you put things into a lot of perspective with respect to SEO performance for web and mobile.