Breadcrumbs in website addresses will disappear from Google mobile search results

Google объявила об изменении способа отображения URL-адресов в результатах поиска на мобильных устройствах. Ранее пользователи видели так называемые «хлебные крошки» — иерархию адреса веб-страницы с помощью символов «>» After the domain. However, now the mobile version will only contain information about the domain, without specifying the site’s folder structure.

Image source: BoliviaInteligente/Unsplash

These changes are being implemented worldwide starting today and will only affect mobile devices – smartphones and tablets. However, on desktop computers, breadcrumbs will continue to be displayed as before. According to The Verge, Google decided to remove the navigation element because it is “less useful for people who search for information on mobile devices. In addition, the address is often cut off due to the small screen size.”

Image source: Google

Indeed, on the screens of small devices such as the iPhone 13 Mini, the display of the URL structure was often limited to the initial part. However, the changes will also affect larger screens, where there was enough space to display “breadcrumbs”. This may frustrate users who are already visually accustomed to displaying the full address.

While Google says the change is designed to benefit mobile users, it may make navigation difficult for those accustomed to navigating URL structures. We can only hope that the company will take into account feedback if users express dissatisfaction with this decision.