Google has announced a significant change in how it displays URLs in search results on mobile devices. Previously, users would see what are commonly known as “breadcrumbs” — a hierarchical structure of web page addresses, represented with “>” symbols following the domain name. However, with the new update, the mobile version of search results will now only display the domain name, omitting the website’s folder structure.
This global change starts today and is exclusive to mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. On desktop computers, the breadcrumb-style URL display will remain unchanged. According to The Verge, Google decided to remove this navigation element because it’s deemed “less useful for people searching on mobile devices.” Additionally, URLs on mobile screens are often truncated due to the limited display size.
Indeed, on small-screen devices like the iPhone 13 Mini, the breadcrumb structure often gets cut off, leaving only the initial part of the URL visible. However, this change will also affect larger-screen devices where there’s ample space to display breadcrumbs. This shift may frustrate users who have become accustomed to seeing the full URL structure and rely on it for navigation.
While Google claims this update is intended to enhance the user experience for mobile audiences, it might pose challenges for those who frequently use the URL structure to navigate through websites. For such users, breadcrumbs have been a helpful visual guide for understanding a site’s layout. The removal of this feature may require adjustments, especially for those relying on detailed URL displays for context.
It remains to be seen whether Google will consider user feedback regarding this change. If the update sparks significant dissatisfaction, there’s hope that the company might reevaluate and refine this decision in the future. For now, users will need to adapt to this streamlined, domain-focused URL display on mobile devices.
