Google Simplifies Mobile Search with Removal of Breadcrumbs

On January 23, 2025, Google unveiled a shift in how search results are displayed on mobile devices. With this update, the familiar breadcrumb trail—the set of hierarchical links that appeared next to URLs—has been removed from mobile search snippets. Instead, only the domain name will be shown, creating a simpler, more streamlined search experience.

This change, which applies to mobile searches across all regions and languages, focuses on improving the interface for smaller screens, where breadcrumbs were often cut off or created confusion. However, desktop search results remain unaffected, with breadcrumbs still visible on larger screens.

While the breadcrumbs are gone from mobile, website owners don’t need to worry—Google continues to support structured data for breadcrumbs on desktop, and the breadcrumb report in Google Search Console is still available. With this update, Google aims to make navigating search results easier and more efficient for users on the go.

Key Considerations:

• Desktop Unaffected: This change only applies to mobile searches. Breadcrumbs will continue to be displayed in search results on desktop computers.
• Structured Data Support Continues: Website owners can still use structured data to mark up breadcrumbs for desktop searches, ensuring their visibility on larger screens.
• Search Console Remains Relevant: The breadcrumb report in Google Search Console remains available for website owners to monitor and analyze breadcrumb performance.

This update reflects Google's ongoing commitment to enhancing the mobile search experience and providing users with a more streamlined and efficient way to find information on the go.

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