Mobile-Friendly Websites Will Now Rank Better In Mobile Search

It’s official, Google announced last week that they will be updating their mobile search algorithm to include “mobile friendliness” as a ranking signal.
GettyImages_450947285
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. Consequently, users will find it easier to get relevant, high quality search results that are optimized for their devices.

If any business has been hesitant about “going mobile” this should be major influence in motivating the build of a mobile-friendly site as mobile traffic will now be impacted by this algorithm update.

3 other reasons why you need a mobile friendly website coupled with SEO


01. User Experience and Brand Reputation

Not having a mobile friendly site will hurt the user experience as well as brand reputation. Google did a study on what users want from a mobile site and here are a few key points: 50% of people said that even if they like a business, they will use them less often if the website isn’t mobile friendly. And 48% said that if a site didn’t work well on their smartphones, it made them feel like the company didn’t care about their business.

02. Search engine websites are the most visited websites on a smartphone

Search engine websites are the most visited websites on mobile devices. 77 percent of smartphone users cited this, followed by social networking, retail, and video sharing websites. Another Google study sheds light onto what users are doing with their phones. With users moving towards a mobile environment, Google is now ensuring that a mobile site is needed in order to provide an optimal experience.

03. Mobile search drives online & offline actions

“As consumers increasingly turn to their mobile phones, it is critical for businesses to understand the range of “mobile conversions” that can occur, such as phone calls, store visits, or purchases on other devices. In partnership with Nielsen, Google analyzed over 6,000 mobile searches and the actions that resulted, drawing precise and measurable connections between mobile searches and the online and offline conversions that they drive.” Full Study

Related Posts: 20 Digital Facts That You Need to Know Google Algorithm (Understanding the Basics) Another Sweet Digital Campaign Case Study Should your “optimized” site from 2011 still rank in Google Can a Simple Google Update Create a Big Impact on PR? Google Search is switching to a mobile-first index.