This Just In: Google Ranks Mobile-Friendly Websites Higher

The “#Mobilegeddon” is upon us, and it’s bringing a force to all websites that aren’t mobile-friendly; damaging your mobile search rank. YIKES!!!

Google’s ultimate goal is to create quality user experiences. To move further in this direction, on April 21st, they will no longer be ranking websites that aren’t mobile-friendly. So, if your company hasn’t taken the plunge to creating a mobile-friendly website, now is the time!

Alright, let’s rewind. Mobile search is the practice of querying a search engine from an Internet-connected handheld device, such as a smartphone. The types of information that users search for on mobile devices are typically different from computer-based searches, as they are generally seeking quick results, such as a sports score. They are also much more likely to be conducting local searches for information specific to the area they’re connecting from.

This brings me to my next point. What is local search? Local search is the use of specialized Internet search engines that allow users to submit geographically constrained searches against a structured database of local business listings. In other words, searchers no longer have to type in “Pizza shops in West Chester, Pa” Google’s algorithm will automatically generate results based in your area simply by inputting “Pizza shops.”

Here are 3 reasons you NEED a responsive and mobile-friendly website right now: 

1. There has been a bold prediction over the last few years that mobile internet will soon be taking over desktop usage. And we aren’t far off from this prediction coming true! 91% of internet searchers use a PC and 80% use a smartphone. Within these searches, 48% start on search engines.

2. Google endorsed a responsive design as the preferred method of building a mobile-friendly website. In other words, Google prefers that businesses utilize a responsive design that is simple and easily accessible to a user. Standard sites on a mobile device provide poor user experience and are not preferred because the wording appears too small, too crowded, and the navigation is not as user friendly. Simple as that. Unless this is the only source of information the user is seeking, they will definitely bounce and choose a mobile-friendly website with optimal viewing experience.

3. Mobile voice search is an emerging technology that combines the power of mobile with a voice recognition algorithm. This gives users the ability to search Google by speaking their request into the search engines.  With Google’s SEO update, you can say goodbye to users finding your website if you are not mobile-friendly. 

These mobile stats shouldn't be ignored!

Google has a long history of famous algorithm updates, search index changes and refreshes. And it doesn’t plan to stop there. It has become clear that having a properly optimized site for mobile search is no longer an option. It’s a priority.

As searchers, we expect Google’s search engine to provide us a results page with links to the best websites that answer our questions. As business owners, we expect our websites to compete for those ranks by optimizing and creating valuable content that creates thorough answers to those questions. What we don’t expect is the answer to those questions appearing to the searcher before we have a chance to impress them with our hard work. This essentially means Google is jumping the gun and answering search results BEFORE a user is even finished typing.

Unless your website is mobile-friendly, you WON’T be showing up in mobile search, and that is not a good thing! With the help of our Google Update Guide, #Mobilegeddon doesn't stand a chance against you. Don't let your business slip through the cracks!