The way people search on Google is changing rapidly. Mobile SEO is at the heart of these shifts. In 2025, mobile searches account for over 64% of all web traffic. So, if your website isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re missing out on potential customers.
A major change businesses must adapt to is the removal of continuous scrolling from Google’s search results. Previously, users could scroll through search results without needing to click ‘Next.’ But in mid-2023, Google returned to the traditional paginated format. It impacts how websites are ranked and discovered.
Why Did Google Remove Continuous Scrolling?
Continuous scrolling was first introduced for mobile search in October 2021. It llater expanded to desktop in December 2022. It allowed users to see up to four pages of search results before manually loading more.
It’s a great way to increase visibility for websites beyond the first page.
However, in mid-2023, Google removed continuous scrolling, stating that it would allow search results to load faster. The paginated format, where users need to click “Next” to see more results, is back. Now, it makes the first page of search results more important than ever.
How This Change Affects Your Mobile SEO Strategy
With Google moving back to paginated search results, businesses must adjust their mobile SEO strategies. It ensures they still appear in the top search rankings. Here’s how:
- Competition for the first page is now higher. Since users don’t have continuous scrolling, many won’t go beyond page one. If your website isn’t ranked high, you’ll lose out on traffic.
- Clicks on lower-ranked pages will drop. Websites that previously benefited from users scrolling down to pages 2 or 3 will now see lower engagement.
- User experience (UX) matters more. Google rewards sites that load quickly, are easy to navigate on mobile and provide useful content.
- SEO strategies need to be sharper. Ranking on page one requires more effort—including better content, faster loading speeds, and improved keyword targeting.
Let’s break down the steps to monitor mobile SEO and boost rankings in 2025.
How to Boost SEO After Google’s Continuous Scrolling Update
Now that search results aren’t scrolling, businesses must take extra steps to get ranked on Google.
Here’s how you can boost SEO and improve your site’s mobile performance:
1. Prioritize Mobile Page Speed
A slow-loading website is one of the biggest reasons why users leave a page. Google considers page speed a ranking factor, so your site must load quickly on mobile.
- Use Google PageSpeed Insights to check your website speed.
- Optimize images by compressing them without losing quality.
- Minimize JavaScript and CSS to reduce loading time.
- Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to speed up delivery of your site.
Example: A study by Google found that if a page takes longer than 3 seconds to load, 53% of users will leave. So, improving page speed is critical for mobile SEO.
2. Focus on Core Web Vitals
Core Web Vitals are a set of Google’s ranking signals that measure user experience (UX). These include:
- Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Measures how fast the main content of your page loads. (Should be under 2.5 seconds.)
- Interaction to Next Paint (INP): Measures how quickly a page responds to user actions. (Should be under 200 milliseconds.)
- Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Measures how much content moves unexpectedly on the page. (Should be as low as possible.)
Tip: Use Google Search Console to monitor mobile SEO and check Core Web Vitals.
3. Optimize for Voice Search
By 2025, over 50% of all searches will be voice searches. Since more people are using Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa, websites need to optimize for voice queries.
How to get ranked on Google with voice search:
- Use conversational keywords. Example: Instead of “best pizza NYC,” use “Where can I find the best pizza in NYC?”
- Target long-tail keywords. These are phrases with 4+ words that match voice search patterns.
- Use question-based content. Example: Create blog posts answering common questions like ‘How To Get Ranked On Google?’
4. Improve Click-Through Rate (CTR) with Better Titles & Descriptions
Since continuous scrolling is gone, users see fewer search results at a time. This means your website’s title and meta description must be highly compelling.
- Write attention-grabbing titles. Example: “Mobile SEO in 2025: 5 Hacks to Boost Your Google Rankings”
- Use numbers and power words. Example: “How to Get Ranked on Google Fast (Even with High Competition)”
- Keep meta descriptions under 160 characters.
A higher CTR tells Google that your site is relevant, which boosts rankings.
5. Use Structured Data (Schema Markup)
Structured data helps Google understand your content better. Hence, making it easier to rank for featured snippets and rich results.
- Use FAQ schema for question-based searches.
- Add product schema to show prices and reviews directly in search results.
- Use event schema if you promote webinars or online events.
Example: If you add a review schema to your eCommerce store, your star ratings will appear on Google. It will attract more clicks.
6. Optimize for Local SEO
Did you know? 46% of Google searches are local. Yes, you’ve heard that right.
If your business has a physical location, you should optimize for local SEO.
Well, here’s how:
- Claim your Google Business Profile and keep the information up to date.
- Use location-based keywords (e.g., “best coffee shop in Chicago”).
- Encourage customer reviews on Google.
7. How Continuous Scrolling’s Removal Changes the Way Users Interact with Search Results
Businesses need to adjust their approach to stay visible and boost SEO rankings.
How This Change Affects User Behavior:
- Users now click on fewer results. Before, they could quickly scroll and see more listings. Now, they’re more likely to click on a result within the first few listings on page one.
- Less visibility for lower-ranked pages. Websites ranked on page 2 or beyond will see a sharp drop in traffic since users must now manually navigate to the next page.
- More importance on SERP features. Since users are engaging with featured snippets, People Also Ask, and knowledge panels, optimizing for these elements can help you get ranked on Google even if you’re not at the very top.
How to Get Ranked on Google Despite These Changes:
- Win the featured snippet position. Google often pulls answers from well-structured content into the zero position (above regular search results). Use clear, concise answers within your content to rank for these snippets.
- Target Google’s ‘People Also Ask’ box. Research common follow-up questions in your industry and provide direct, detailed answers to increase visibility.
- Use scroll-friendly content. Make sure your content is easy to scan with short paragraphs, bullet points, and engaging visuals.
How to Monitor Mobile SEO Performance
Keeping track of your mobile SEO rankings is just as important as optimizing them. Here are the best tools to monitor mobile SEO:
- Google Search Console: Check mobile usability issues and rankings.
- Google Analytics 4: Track mobile traffic and user behavior.
- PageSpeed Insights: Analyze mobile site speed.
- Ahrefs / SEMrush: Monitor keyword rankings.
Regularly checking these tools helps you adjust your SEO strategy and keep up with Google’s updates.
Adapting to Google’s New Search Landscape
With continuous scrolling gone, getting ranked on page one is now more competitive than ever. Businesses need to focus on mobile SEO best practices to stay visible.
Here’s a summary of all the key takeaways:
Optimize page speed and Core Web Vitals.
- Improve voice search SEO.
- Use structured data to boost visibility.
- Write compelling titles & descriptions to increase CTR.
- Monitor mobile SEO performance regularly.
If you want to boost SEO and improve your Google rankings, adapting to these changes is essential.
Want to boost your mobile SEO in 2025? Contact Brandtonics today and let’s take your rankings to the next level.
FAQs
1. How does Google’s removal of continuous scrolling impact mobile SEO?
Google’s return to paginated search results means users must now click “Next” to see more results. This change increases competition for the first page, making it more challenging for lower-ranked websites to gain visibility. To stay competitive, businesses must optimize their mobile SEO strategy by focusing on faster page speeds, Core Web Vitals, and compelling search snippets.
2. What are Core Web Vitals, and why do they matter for mobile SEO?
Core Web Vitals are key performance metrics that measure user experience. They include Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) for loading speed, Interaction to Next Paint (INP) for responsiveness, and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) for visual stability. Websites with strong Core Web Vitals rank higher in search results, making mobile optimization essential for SEO success in 2025.
3. How can I optimize my website for mobile voice search?
With over 50% of searches being voice-based in 2025, businesses should use conversational and long-tail keywords. Focus on question-based content, like FAQs, and optimize for featured snippets. Structuring content in a natural, spoken format helps improve rankings in voice search results on Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa.
4. What is structured data, and how does it improve search rankings?
Structured data (schema markup) helps Google understand website content better. Using FAQ, product, and review schema can increase the chances of appearing in rich results, featured snippets, and Google’s ‘People Also Ask’ box. This enhances visibility, even for websites that aren’t ranked at the very top of search results.
5. What are the best tools to monitor mobile SEO performance?
To track and improve mobile SEO, businesses should use Google Search Console for indexing and rankings, Google Analytics 4 for mobile traffic insights, PageSpeed Insights for performance optimization, and Ahrefs/SEMrush for keyword tracking. Regularly monitoring these metrics ensures websites stay competitive and adapt to Google’s evolving search landscape.
