The next time you search on Google, you might have a harder time getting many results. According to SearchEngineLand, Google Search is phasing out infinite scrolling from search results. The feature has already been removed from desktop searches, and it will also disappear from mobile searches in the coming months.
Show results faster
Infinite scrolling, sometimes called continuous scrolling or endless scrolling, was introduced in 2021 to show more results once you get past the first page of search results. The old (and returning) design splits results into pages, meaning you have to tap on a specific page to see more. If you’re using mobile, Google will now show a “More results” instead of numbered pages.
Why the change? A Google representative explained to SearchEngineLand that removing infinite scrolling is a way to display search results faster. Instead of loading results you haven’t yet requested, your browser will now only display the ones you requested. The representative also noted that infinite scrolling doesn’t necessarily mean higher user satisfaction.
What impact for websites?
On the other hand, it could affect sites that appear beyond the first page of search results. A 2021 report from SearchEngineLand showed how these pages, especially those right on the edge of the next page, benefited from the addition of infinite scrolling. That’s because infinite scrolling makes it much easier for users to venture all the way to the second page.
Yet many users seem to be fans of paginated search results. If you’re trying to find a result for the second time, it’s actually easier to remember what page it was on and go there right away instead of having to scroll through pages to find it. Given all the ads that appear in search results these days, this is often where the good results are if you’re looking for a niche topic.
If you prefer infinite scrolling, several other search engines, including DuckDuckGo, still offer this feature.
