Google frequently updates its search algorithm to boost the user experience and help leading businesses make it to the top. On April 21st 2015, Google’s new search algorithm update scooped out in front of the entire world. There are two vital changes at play in Google’s recent move to favor mobile. Firstly, Google will now adjust its search results in order to favor mobile-friendly sites. And second, the apps will be totally discoverable in mobile search results with added deep links. With about 60% of online traffic coming only from mobile all over the world, it is no surprise that Google made such a move to cement mobile as King. The supreme goal is to create the best experience possible for the users. Here are some of the most important things you need to know to about the recent changes.
Mobile Only
The new algorithm is only applicable to searches performed from smartphones and other mobile handsets. Desktop search rankings won’t be much impacted by the change. But that doesn’t mean the update isn’t important. If you had a more mobile-friendly site, you’d rank much above in mobile search terms. Make no mistake, having a mobile-friendly site is critical to your future success and Google is telling you this as directly as possible.
Testing the Site
Google has framed a mobile-friendly test that you can use to find out whether your site is either mobile-friendly or it’s not, there’s no in between. The Google Mobile Friendly test will only examine the exact URL you submit, so if your site has multiple components and page-types, make sure you check them all. Sites that Google verifies as mobile friendly earn a label that lets mobile searchers know the particular site works well on smartphones. Also, don’t forget to work with your Web host. Common mistakes that hurt sites mobile-friendliness include slow mobile pages, unplayable content, faulty redirects and blocked JavaScript, CSS, and image files. Google is even verifying for irrelevant cross-links from mobile page to the desktop version to check if a website is mobile-friendly or not. Try to avoid these mistakes as much as you can on your website.
Events Occur in Real-Time
Apart from the home page, the algorithm checks every other page on the site for mobile friendliness. The more mobile friendly pages on the website, much better the chances are of scoring top search rankings. The search algorithm works in real-time. Sites that make changes to enhance mobile friendliness should see Google pick up on the changes within hours, not days. In other words, your search rankings aren’t likely to start tanking immediately.
Accuracy and Speed
According to Google, error-free, precise and high-quality content might rank well even if it is not mobile friendly. Google mainly prefers fast websites to slow ones, but slow mobile-friendly sites will not get penalized in search rankings as long as they have fast desktop performance.
Google’s Mobile Algorithm Update confirms the notion that looking to the future and adopting new technology – and perhaps more importantly, embracing change – which is vital to survive in our increasingly digital world.
