SEO and continuous scrolling for mobile search results

Here at Pumpkin Web Design, we are Preston’s leading web design and web marketing professionals. We work across Preston, and the North West, including Southport and Wigan, as well as Manchester, to provide valuable web solutions to a range of clients. As a result, we have produced this guide to everything you should know about mobile search results, continuous scrolling and the SEO implications for SMBs.

What is continuous scrolling for mobile search results?

Continuous scrolling is an update that Google are currently rolling out, but only for the mobile search engine results page (SERP). This means that when a user enters a key-phrase or keyword into Google on a mobile device, there will no longer be the traditional page structure, and instead results will be displayed as a continuous list. This means that users will not need to keep clicking the “load more” or “see more” options button to keep loading new results, and instead results up to around page 4 will be shown as the user continues to keep scrolling down the page. This will be around 40 or more results. So when Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) efforts have traditionally focused on SERP results and improving the rank position, how will SEO change in light of this update?

What are the considerations for SEO and continuous scrolling for mobile search results?

Well, to ensure that your SEO efforts are still focused where they should be, now could be a good time to revaluate your strategy. There are some considerations to take into account, that can help your company achieve the best possible results. These considerations include:

• Targeting more common keywords- some people have made the argument that if your SMB is shying away from the very popular keyword terms associated with your business, this is the time to start targeting these. While yes it may be highly unlikely that your blog or content will show up on the first page of the results, with continuous scrolling there is more chance of page 2 or page 3 results being shown on the list, and as a result driving traffic to your content.
• Ranking position still counts- while more results may be shown as part of continuous scrolling, the higher the ranking position, the more likely your link is to be noticed, clicked and to direct traffic to your website. As a result, your company will still need to monitor keyword ranking position as one aspect of the larger SEO strategy.
• Considering SEO for voice search- because the continuous scrolling update is specifically for mobile devices, it is a good idea to kick start your voice search SEO. This is because many mobile searches are made with voice, and it can totally change the terminology and style of the search term or phrase entered. For example, a voice search is more likely to be posed a key phrase, or as a question, using natural language. As a result, it’s important that you create content to target this range of search terms.

For more information and advice about your web marketing or web design, get in touch with the experts today, here at Pumpkin Web Design.