End of Continuous Scroll on Google Search
Google is discontinuing its continuous scroll feature, which allowed additional search results to load automatically as users scrolled past the first page. Moving forward, users will encounter the classic pagination bar at the bottom of the search results.
Desktop First Rollout
Starting today, Google will begin phasing out continuous scroll for desktop search results.
A Brief History of Continuous Scroll
Google first introduced continuous scrolling for mobile searches in October 2021 and later brought it to desktop in December 2022. For desktop, the feature was available for approximately a year and a half before being retired.
Mobile Search Changes Coming Soon
In the coming months, continuous scroll will also be removed from Google’s mobile search results.
Google’s Statement on the Change
A Google spokesperson told Search Engine Land that on June 25, continuous scroll would be disabled on desktop search, with mobile changes to follow shortly thereafter.
On desktop, users will now see the familiar “Next” button at the bottom of the page, while mobile users will encounter a “More results” button.
Why the Change?
Google explained that the switch back to pagination is intended to serve search results faster, focusing on loading results that users explicitly request. The company also noted that auto-loading more results did not significantly enhance user satisfaction with the search experience.
The Appearance of Continuous Scroll on Desktop
Previously, continuous scroll automatically loaded more results as users scrolled down. Here’s a GIF showing how it worked:
What the Pagination Bar Looks Like
With the change, the traditional pagination bar at the bottom of the first page of Google Search results will make a return:
Why It Matters for Website Owners
Websites that typically appear on Page 2 of search results may see a drop in clicks, depending on whether users continue to scroll and click the “Next” button. This shift may also affect your Search Console data, as searcher behavior adapts to the new system.
Bryan Tan is an SEO Specialist and CEO at Newnormz, helping hundreds of businesses achieve first-page rankings on Google. With a passion for driving organic growth, Bryan blends innovative strategies with hands-on experience to optimize websites for maximum visibility. Always at the forefront of the latest SEO insights and trends, he consistently adapts to the evolving digital landscape.
