In a recent decision, Google has officially removed the mobile usability report from Google Search Console, mobile-friendliness testing tool, and mobile-friendliness testing API.
This action, announced in April 2023, took place on December 1, marking the end of these essential tools for digital marketing professionals and web developers.
The Google ad
Google communicated the withdrawal of these tools through a publication in X. This decision naturally creates a change in the way developers and SEO professionals evaluate and improve the mobile usability of their websites.
Now, why did the company make this striking decision? The truth is that there are some clues that can help us understand this matter.
What did the company explain about it?
The company explained its decision by noting that, although mobile usability remains crucial, there are other solid resources that have emerged in the last ten years to evaluate it. Google specifically mentioned Chrome’s Lighthouse as an alternative for evaluating mobile usability.
I want to take a pause to briefly explain that Google is certainly right in arguing that there are plenty of tools to evaluate these parameters. A little later you will see a list with the best tools to perform this analysis, where we will mention Lighthouse.
Removal and redirection from the official site
As you know, as of December 1, 2023, users can no longer access Search Console’s mobile usability report or mobile-friendly testing tool.
The tool has been redirected to Lighthouse, signaling Google’s focus on other solutions. Additionally, the Mobile-Friendly Test API no longer returns results.
Is it possible to confirm then that Google has decided to indicate the Lighthouse tool as an extension of its service? We will know in the not-too-distant future.
The best tools to measure mobile usability
With the mobile usability functionality of GSC (Google Search Console) disappearing, there is no choice but to look for new possibilities in other tools. Among the most notable, it is necessary to mention:
PageSpeed
PageSpeed is a classic in evaluating website speed, covering both web and mobile versions. It is a tool that provides valuable metrics to improve performance, highlighting areas of opportunity.
This plugin is important to understand and improve your users’ experience. Its focus on both web and mobile versions makes it very useful for those who work on SEO.
GTMetrix
GTMetrix focuses on analyzing the loading time of a website and identifying the parts that can be optimized. Your focus on performance is crucial, as long loading times can negatively impact SEO.
It is a tool highly recommended by different SEO specialists, and it also allows you to carry out an analysis of the mobile usability of the sites.
SmallSEOTols
SmallSEOTools is like the Swiss army knife of your SEO toolbox. It offers a variety of utilities, from plagiarism checking to keyword analysis. Essential for those looking for a versatile set of features, including the ability to run a test on the mobile (or responsive) usability of the site.
Sitechecker
Sitechecker is another great tool that performs full audits, pointing out areas for improvement in SEO, performance and security. Its holistic approach makes it a valuable tool for keeping your site in optimal condition, allowing you to visualize its mobile adaptability.
YSlow
YSlow offers a comprehensive analysis of a web page, suggesting improvements based on 34 optimization rules. Divided into categories, these rules provide a detailed guide to making your site considerably faster. By following their advice, you will see your site gain speed and efficiency.
Technical SEO Tool
This set of free SEO tools is essential to improve crawling, indexing, and therefore, web positioning. Technical SEO Tool offers detailed analysis of various aspects of SEO, including site speed adjustments and responsiveness to other mobile devices.
Lighthouse
Google Lighthouse is the tool indicated by the company to carry out this activity. Naturally, it provides detailed information about a website’s performance, including data beyond PageSpeed. It is a complete tool to understand optimization needs.
The easiest way I found to use this tool is through the extension that Google has.
How do these measures impact SEO and developers?
This change affects those who rely on these tools to evaluate and improve the mobile optimization of their websites. In case you are one of them, Google itself created a redirection to a tool that can meet the same characteristics.
This move highlights the constant evolution of the digital landscape and, consequently, the need to adapt to new tools and approaches to ensure an optimal user experience on mobile devices.
The question in this whole situation is: Is this easy for those who do not have in-depth knowledge of the subject? Probably not, but don’t worry, we can help you.
At Enjoy Minder we specialize in developing responsive sites!
Developing sites that comply with mobile usability parameters and, therefore, are responsive to all types of devices is not an easy task. For this reason, at Enjoy Minder we can help you finalize your website, do an SEO audit, focus on the various campaigns, and web design and, finally, focus on the adaptability of the site to various devices.
The company is made up of a team of professionals in all areas of SEO, SEM and digital marketing. Don’t hesitate to contact us to start working together!
