Mobile SEO Checklist

Implement fully responsive design

Ensure your website adapts seamlessly to all screen sizes using CSS media queries, flexible grids, and fluid images.

Set the viewport meta tag correctly

Include the viewport meta tag with width=device-width and initial-scale=1 to control how your page renders on mobile devices.

Test on real mobile devices

Don't rely solely on browser emulators. Test on actual phones and tablets across iOS and Android to catch real-world issues.

Ensure text is readable without zooming

Use a minimum font size of 16px for body text and ensure line height and letter spacing work well on small screens.

Size tap targets appropriately

Make buttons and links at least 48x48 pixels with adequate spacing between them to prevent accidental taps on mobile.

Avoid horizontal scrolling

Ensure no content extends beyond the viewport width. Test for elements that cause unwanted horizontal scrollbars on mobile.

Achieve passing Core Web Vitals on mobile

Meet Google's mobile CWV thresholds: LCP under 2.5s, CLS under 0.1, and INP under 200ms when tested on mobile connections.

Optimize critical rendering path for mobile

Inline critical CSS, defer non-essential scripts, and prioritize above-the-fold content loading for faster first paint on mobile.

Implement AMP or instant-loading where beneficial

Consider AMP for news content or service worker caching for repeat visitors to dramatically reduce mobile load times.

Reduce mobile page weight

Target under 1MB total page weight for mobile by compressing assets, eliminating unused code, and serving mobile-optimized resources.

Use adaptive image serving

Serve appropriately sized images based on device screen size and resolution using srcset and sizes attributes.

Minimize third-party script impact

Audit and reduce third-party scripts that slow mobile performance. Defer analytics, chat widgets, and social embeds until after interaction.

Eliminate intrusive interstitials

Remove full-page popups and overlays that block content on mobile. Google penalizes pages with intrusive interstitials that harm mobile UX.

Ensure content parity with desktop

Google uses mobile-first indexing, so all content visible on desktop must also be accessible on mobile. Don't hide content behind tabs or accordions.

Optimize forms for mobile input

Use appropriate input types (email, tel, number), enable autofill, and minimize the number of fields in mobile forms.

Add click-to-call for phone numbers

Wrap phone numbers in tel: links so mobile users can call with a single tap rather than copying and pasting numbers.

Test mobile navigation usability

Ensure hamburger menus are accessible, navigation items are tappable, and users can easily find important pages on mobile.

Optimize for thumb-zone navigation

Place primary actions and navigation elements within the natural thumb-reach zone for one-handed mobile usage.