Ok, I don't
blog much but this lit a fire under my butt.
News flash! Google has recently
made one of the most definitive statements they have EVER MADE regarding some
upcoming changes to their search algorithm.
If more than 10% of your monthly visitors to your website are made by
users on mobile defined as phone, tablet or other similar devices then you need
to read this immediately then execute on a plan to correct your site's
deficiencies. If you don't know the
breakdown of the visitors to your website you can determine these metrics using
a product like at Google Analytics at http://www.google.com/analytics
48 Day
Countdown
Here is an
extract of the text Google posted on their Webmaster Central Blog on February
26, 2015. We quote: "When it comes to search on
mobile devices, users should get the most relevant and timely results, no
matter if the information lives on mobile-friendly web pages or apps. As more
people use mobile devices to access the internet, our algorithms have to adapt to these
usage patterns. In the past, we’ve made updates to ensure a site is configured properly and viewable on modern devices. We’ve made it
easier for users to find mobile-friendly web pages and
we’ve introduced App Indexing to surface useful content
from apps. Today, we’re announcing two important changes to help users discover
more mobile-friendly content:"
"Starting April 21, we will
be expanding our use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal. This change
will affect mobile searches in all languages worldwide and will have a
significant impact in our search results. Consequently, users will find it
easier to get relevant, high quality search results that are optimized for
their devices."
Decoding Google
Typically many messages from
Google are a bit enigmatic. Over the last 10+ years these posts have spawned
many heated discussions and claims as to how and what they have been doing with
their algorithm, business logic that dictates how your site appears in Google
Search.
Action Required
There is no ambiguity with this
message from Google. "Starting APRIL
21, we will be expanding our use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal. This
change will affect mobile searches in all languages worldwide and will have a SIGNIFICANT
impact in our search results."
It is accepted that they
currently use mobile friendliness as one of their many ranking signals, however this time they use
the words 'expand' and 'significant'.
Now, I don't know what dictionary you are using but the meanings of
these words are VERY clear.
You will lose search engine ranking positions for results if your site is
not mobile-friendly.
What will happen to your revenue
stream if you lose 20%, 30%, 40% or more of your web traffic over the next 6
months?
Am I Mobile-Friendly?
Naturally, Google has provided a
tool that anyone can use to test their site.
You can find the mobile-friendly test at: https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/mobile-friendly/
Type in your url or a specific
page on your website to get your score and what you need to do.
What's My Move?
1. get your website analytics
2. talk to your in-house
developers
3. talk to your outside web
development company
4. find a new development partner
You better get started, by the
time you read this it may be 47 days until Google rolls out this new search
update. The clock is ticking on this one!
Robert Coalter
CEO of InterNet Partners
We assist companies with their
strategic plans and implementation of these plans. We can help you with creating mobile friendly
sites, interpreting analytics and establishing best practices for your
e-commerce strategies. We execute!
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