In October 2021, Google adopted the continuous scrolling feature for mobile users and in late 2022, the feature was available for desktop users as well. As a result, users could scroll through results on a web page without clicking the next button. But now, Google is taking a U-turn on this feature. The Sundar Pichai-led tech giant is eliminating the continuous scrolling feature in its search results, reverting to a more traditional pagination system. This change will initially take effect on desktop browsers, with mobile devices also set to be implemented in the coming months.

This decision marks a return to the classic format that allows users to navigate through search results by clicking “Next” or selecting a specific page number. As already mentioned, continuous scrolling, a feature that has become ubiquitous on various platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, was adopted by Google for desktop searches in late 2022. This allowed users to browse search results without clicking the “Next” button, with pages loading automatically as they scrolled down. On mobile, this feature was introduced in October 2021. However, Google has decided to phase out this feature. This change will likely be welcomed by users who prefer a more structured and controlled browsing experience, especially when searching for specific information.

According to a report by Search Engine Land, Google aims to improve the speed and efficiency of delivering search results by discontinuing the continuous scrolling feature. By not automatically preloading pages, Google can prioritize and speed up the results that users are actively searching for. The company believes that the traditional pagination system will give users more control over the number of results they can see at once, enhancing the overall search experience.

This change is already being implemented and more and more users are expected to receive it in the coming days. With the familiar pagination bar reappearing at the bottom of the search results page, users will be able to navigate through pages by clicking “Next” or selecting a specific page number. This method provides more control and a potentially faster search experience, as it allows users to quickly jump to a specific section of search results without having to wait for additional pages to load automatically.

For mobile users, the continuous scrolling feature will also be going away in the coming months. Instead of automatically loading more results, users will have to tap the “More Results” button at the bottom of the page to load further results. Google hasn’t given a specific timeline for this change on mobile, but it’s expected to be rolled out gradually over the next few months.

The decision to eliminate continuous scrolling was made after Google found that the feature did not meet user expectations for loading more results quickly. By returning to the traditional pagination system, Google aims to increase the speed and efficiency of its search results. The company is confident that this change will provide a better user experience by providing faster access to the most relevant information, reports Search Engine Land.

In addition to these changes, Google’s recent addition of Gemini AI to its Workspace apps, which include Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Drive, may also impact the search experience. Announced at the I/O developers conference in May, Gemini AI aims to enhance productivity tools with advanced AI capabilities.