Don’t Switch M-Dot URLs to Mobile Canonicals, Says John Mueller

In a recent LinkedIn post, John Mueller, Senior Search Analyst and Search Relations team lead at Google, advised against switching canonical URLs for sites with m-dot mobile URLs. The recommendation comes amidst ongoing discussions about mobile-first indexing and the best practices for optimizing websites for desktop and mobile users.

Mueller’s key message is clear: “No, don’t change it.” He explains that while it might seem logical to make the mobile URL canonical if Google is selecting it as such, this approach is not recommended due to several complexities.

Responsive Design Over Separate URLs

Mueller suggests that websites with the resources should move towards a responsive design. This approach uses the same URLs for desktop and mobile versions, simplifying SEO and site maintenance. Responsive design ensures a consistent user experience across all devices, aligning with Google’s mobile-first indexing strategy.

Challenges with Switching Canonical URLs

Switching canonical URLs is a complex process fraught with potential issues. Mueller warns that changing canonicals could lead to conflicting links—some pointing from mobile to desktop and others from desktop to mobile. This inconsistency would necessitate new tags, such as “link rel alternate desktop,” and require search engines to adjust their indexing methods.

Canonical Tags Indicate Equivalence

Mueller emphasizes that canonical tags are intended to indicate that the linked pages are equivalent. Therefore, switching the canonical URL is unnecessary if Google is already treating the mobile and desktop versions as equivalent.

Insights and Resources

Mueller provided additional resources for further reading on canonicalization and mobile SEO best practices:

• Google’s Canonicalization Guidelines
• Google’s Mobile SEO Guide

Vary HTTP Headers

In a comment, Mueller shared an anecdote about using “vary” HTTP headers. During discussions with the mobile indexing team, it was revealed that Google does not use these headers to understand the mobile/desktop relationship. Instead, these headers are meant for usability, aiding HTTP caches. They are not necessary for SEO, but there is no need to remove them either.

For site owners and SEO specialists, Mueller advises maintaining the current setup and, if possible, transitioning to a responsive design. This strategy not only simplifies site management but also enhances user experience across all devices, ensuring consistency with Google’s mobile-first indexing approach.

Mueller’s insights highlight the importance of thoughtful SEO practices in an ever-evolving digital landscape, emphasizing that sometimes, sticking with the current setup is the best course of action.