MENUMENU
  • Services
    • Services
      • Search Engine Optimization
      • Local SEO
      • Generative Engine Optimization
      • Digital PR
      • Content Marketing
      • Email Marketing Services
      • Lifecycle Marketing
      • Paid Media Advertising
      • Social Media Marketing
      • Creative Design Services
      • Conversion Rate Optimization
      • Website Design & Development
      • Amazon Marketing Services
      • Franchise Marketing
      • Franchise Development
      • National to Local Marketing
      • Reporting and Data Analytics
      • Digital Marketing Strategy
  • Who We Serve
    • Who We Serve
      • Franchise Marketing
      • B2B Marketing
      • Lead Generation
      • Ecommerce
      • We Build Custom Strategies
      • View Sample Industries
  • About Us
    • About Ignite Visibility
      • Our Story
      • Our Values
      • Our Team
      • Clients
      • Diversity & Inclusion
      • Our Blog
      • Marketing Resources
      • Franchise Marketing Resources
      • Careers
      • Hiring Notice
  • Case Studies
  • Awards
  • Contact
  • 619.752.1955
Home / Mobile / Complete Guide to Mobile Usability Reports in Google Webmaster Tools

Complete Guide to Mobile Usability Reports in Google Webmaster Tools

November 4, 2014 By John Lincoln

To further promote the user experience via mobile device, Google announced the unveiling of Mobile Usability reports to provide webmasters with a detailed error analysis to encourage mobile-friendly websites. The detailed reports can now be found in Google’s Webmaster Tools to allow webmasters to make necessary changes to a website in order to boost website navigation from mobile devices.

Google Webmaster Tools Mobile Usability Reports
Google Webmaster Tools Mobile Usability Reports

Why is Mobile Usability important?

With the new Mobile Usability reports, webmasters will view data and errors relating to: Flash content, missing viewport, tiny fonts, fixed-width viewports, content not sized to viewport, and clickable buttons that are too close to one another.

Google Webmaster Trends Analyst John Mueller states, “We strongly recommend you take a look at these issues in Webmaster Tools, and think about how they might be resolved.”

As the mobile experience may aid ranking signal, improving the use of mobile web needs to be a major focus. This new information allows a webmaster to increase the mobile function of a website to help maintain mobile viewers as Search Engine Watch reports that 61 percent of mobile users will leave a website and not return if the site isn’t mobile friendly. In addition, 48 percent of mobile users feel a company doesn’t care for their business if a site doesn’t function correctly on a mobile device. Plus, 67 percent of users admit to be more inclined to buy a product or service on a mobile-friendly site; therefore, resolving mobile site errors is essential.

How do I fix Flash usage errors?

Most mobile browsers aren’t capable of rendering Flash-based content, causing a mobile visitor to be unable to view a page that requires Flash to display content, navigation, or animations. Google is alerting webmasters of Flash errors to promote the use of modern web technologies with their Look and Feel guide. Should you receive a Flash error, Google’s guide provides the necessary information for webmasters to fix animation performance, such as CSS vs. JavaScript Animations, custom easing, animation views, and animation timing.

Flash Usage Errors - Google Webmaster Tools Mobile Usability Reports
Flash Usage Errors – Google Webmaster Tools Mobile Usability Reports

How do I solve viewport errors?

Despite the growing trend of responsive website designs to support all screen sizes when using mobile devices, there are still many viewports that aren’t configured. If a page lacks the “meta viewport tag” the website’s page won’t adjust to the mobile device’s screen size, causing errors with dimensions and scaling.

Using the Responsive Web Design Basics recommended by Google, these issues can be resolved to support layout changes based on the size and capabilities of a mobile device. This includes: setting the viewport, size content to viewport, CSS media queries for responsiveness, breakpoints, navigation principles and actions, and responsive web design and action patterns.

Viewpoint Errors - Google Webmaster Tools Mobile Usability Reports
Viewpoint Errors – Google Webmaster Tools Mobile Usability Reports

How can I resolve fixed-width viewport errors?

With the Mobile Usability reports, webmasters will be alerted when webpages are set to a fixed width for viewport. This may be due to a fixed pixel size to adjust to a non-responsive design. In order to resolve this issue, a responsive design for all webpages will need to be adapted to allow the viewport of each page to respond to any device’s width and scale. Google recommends using the meta viewport element to control the page’s dimensions and scaling.

How do I fix content that’s not sized to viewport?

When absolute values in CSS declaration are used, horizontal scrolling is needed to view all of the words and images on a webpage when using a mobile device; thus, causing the “content not sized to viewport” error. This may also occur due to images set to specific browser widths. In order to fix the error, all pages need to use the relative width and position values for CSS elements, as well as an image’s ability to scale under Google’s recommendation to Size Content to Viewport.

Content Not Sized to Viewpoint - Google Webmaster Tools Mobile Usability Reports
Content Not Sized to Viewpoint – Google Webmaster Tools Mobile Usability Reports

What do I do if my font is too small?

Often, when viewing  a website on a mobile device, the font can be too small to be read legibly and clearly unless a user zooms in to read. To increase the legibility of the font, set the font size to scale properly within the viewport after a viewport has been specified. To ensure the best font size methods are used, Google created the Use Legible Font Size guide.

Small Font - Google Webmaster Tools Mobile Usability Reports
Small Font – Google Webmaster Tools Mobile Usability Reports

How do I fix buttons that are too close?

If a mobile user is unable to easily tap a desired navigation link or button with their finger without tapping a nearby element, touch elements are too close together and Google will notify you. This problem can easily be resolved with the use of correctly sized buttons and navigation links according to Google’s Size Tap Targets Appropriately Guide. Google recommends setting commonly used tap targets to at least 48 CSS pixels tall/wide, while less visited tap elements are set to a smaller size with at least 10 mm spacing.

Touch Elements - Google Webmaster Tools Mobile Usability Reports
Touch Elements – Google Webmaster Tools Mobile Usability Reports

Why should I pay attention to Mobile Usability?

It’s critical to ensure you have a well functioning and appealing mobile-friendly site as Google considers mobile usability to be relevant for optimal search results. To promote the best experience possible, Google recommends creating defined viewing that’s adjustable based on screen size, a flowing content viewport that doesn’t require screen adjusting or horizontal scrolling, and appropriate font sizes that scale for screen size. In addition, buttons need to be well placed and not crowded by other items and the website’s design needs to focus on mobile technology.

In light of the new Mobile Usability, this only further supports the rumor that Google may add mobile user experience to it’s ranking algorithm. Should Mobile UX be used as a ranking signal, webmasters want to ensure all Mobile Usability errors are resolved now before the raking algorithm shift and to continue to encourage mobile traffic.

Sources:

“Google May Add Mobile User Experience to its Ranking Algorithm” SearchEngineLand

Related Posts

  • Google Answer Box Mobile Feature

    There has been much debate over the Google answer boxes lately. We have also seen…

  • Google Analytics Traffic Reports Video

    Google Analytics is often confusing for new users who are just learning the interface and…

  • Google Launches New Mobile Testing Tool

    Google is on a mobile rampage. But I cannot blame them, the entire online world…

About John Lincoln

John Lincoln (MBA) is the CEO of Ignite Visibility, a top performance marketing agency backed by Mountaingate Capital. A digital marketing strategist and keynote speaker, Lincoln has managed over 1,000 marketing programs for brands like DoorDash, HBO, Tony Robbins, and Experian. Under his leadership, Ignite Visibility has been named a leading digital marketing agency in the U.S. and made the Inc. 5,000 list six times. Lincoln also spearheaded the development of CertaintyTech, a cutting-edge media mix modelling and forecasting platform. An award-winning marketer, Lincoln has authored three books, including Advolution (2022), and produced films such as SEO: The Movie. Recognized as a Top Business Leader, he has been featured in Forbes and The New York Times and spoken at global events like Web Summit and SMX. Lincoln's mission is to empower businesses through innovative digital strategies while reinvesting in clients, employees, and the community.

About Ignite

Ignite Visibility is a premier full-service digital marketing agency. We were founded in San Diego, CA but are now a 100% remote-first company with Igniters and clients around the globe.

Ignite Visibility is one of the highest awarded digital marketing agencies in the industry, works with some of the biggest brands in the world and is a 6x Inc. 5000 company.

noun-trading

Our Services

Ignite Visibility offers Award-Winning Services including comprehensive full-funnel digital marketing strategies. Learn more about our most popular service offerings below:

  • SEO Search Engine Optimization
  • PPC Pay Per Click
  • Email Marketing
  • Social Media
  • Creative
  • View All Services

Contact Us. Let’s Chat!

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form

Marketing Guides

SEO In 2020: How To Prepare For Major Disruption

"SEO: The Movie" - Have You Seen Our Film? Watch Now

"Social Media Marketing: The Movie" - Have You Seen Our Film? Watch Now

Amazon Seller Central vs Vendor Central

Listen To The Podcast Featuring The Best Minds In Marketing

John Lincoln Interviews Global Director of Digital Marketing & Strategy at Qualcomm, Jessica Jensen

Check Out 227 Free Online Marketing Classes

The 2020 Guide To Dominating SEO With Advanced Schema

Learn More About Our Digital Marketing Agency

Learn More About Our SEO Services

Learn More About Our Paid Media Services

SELECT CATEGORY

Become A Contributor

Interested in writing for Ignite Visibility?

APPLY NOW

noun-chat

Let's Chat

Ready to grow your online visibility and sales?

Request Your Free Proposal

Work With Us

NEWSLETTER // SIGN UP NOW










noun-strategy

Free Marketing Resources

  • Digital Marketing Resources
  • Marketing Strategy Videos
  • Weekly Marketing News Recaps
noun-strategy

Most Popular Blogs

  • How Long Does SEO Take?
  • Multi-Location SEO: Top Strategies
  • Google AI Overviews: Everything You Need to Know
  • Technical SEO 101
  • 18 Google Ad Extensions You Should Use
  • Complete Guide to Google Responsive Display Ads
  • Capitalizing on Local Service Ads
  • How SEO and PPC Work Together
  • Community Management Best Practices
  • B2B Social Media Marketing Guide
  • VIEW ALL BLOGS
noun-letter

Join Our Newsletter

CONNECT WITH US

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • linkedin

Services

  • Search Engine Optimization
  • Generative Engine Optimization
  • Pay Per Click Management
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Email Marketing
  • Conversion Rate Optimization
  • Website Design & Development
  • Creative Design
  • Content Marketing
  • Digital PR
  • Franchise Marketing
  • Digital Marketing Agency Services

About

  • Our Team
  • Our Values
  • Clients
  • Industry
  • Reviews
  • Careers
  • Marketing Resources
  • Privacy Policy & Service Terms
  • Advertising Disclosures
  • Sitemap

Contact

4370 La Jolla Village Drive
Suite 320
San Diego, California 92122

619.752.1955

Join The Newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest from Ignite Visibility.











google parther logo

©2025 Ignite Visibility. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy and Terms of Service