Google Desktop CTR Falls as Mobile Rates Soar

Google's click-through rates (CTRs) for desktop searches have taken a hit in Q2, while mobile CTRs are on the rise. This trend is according to Advanced Web Ranking's CTR report for Q2 2026.

In contrast to Q1, where desktop CTRs were improving and mobile CTRs declined, this quarter saw the opposite effect. Desktop CTRs in top spots one and two experienced a combined decline of 5.27 percentage points, while mobile CTRs grew by 6.59 points.

The report also highlights that for single-word queries, desktop CTR at position one dipped by 4.15 points, but mobile increased by 7.42 points. Similarly, all top 20 desktop branded query CTRs dropped between 1.47 and 3.08 points each, yet mobile position one saw a positive rise of 1.40 points.

The industry results were mixed, with Arts & Entertainment gaining 2.40 points at desktop position one, while Law, Government, & Politics gained at desktop positions two and three and had the largest single-position increase among industries, with mobile position one up 17.31 points.