Google website key phrase ranking depends on alogrithms to score search position, and 21 April 2015 will be remembered as a historic day.
Websites enjoying key phrases on Google page one may be surprised to find out they lost page one position to a mobile friendly competitor.
As illustrated in our graphic, the announced algorithm rollout for 21 April 2015 could mean some websites will be steamrolled over.
This change is historic in that most Google updates to their complicated algorithms are done quietly without any fanfare, or warning.
This one is different and a game changer. Google gave notice earlier this year that mobile friendly websites will get a boost in results.
“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.” Source: Google Blog, Feb 25th, 2015
Importance of Mobile Friendly
In 2012 we predicted that website visitors on mobile devices would pass desktop users by 2015. That happened. Google noticed, too.
The majority of site visitors have gone mobile. Google rewards sites that provide a positive user experience by being mobile friendly.
Mobile visitors who must pinch to zoom in to read text, or scroll sideways to view content, will likely exit to a mobile friendly site.
Past updates were small tweaks every 2-3 months. Details were kept secret to keep an edge over search competitors. Many went unnoticed.
The update for mobile friendly was significant for being 1) announced in advance, 2) in great detail, and 3) with advice to be prepared.
The Time to Go Mobile is Now
Our business is custom mobile web design. It became our specialty in 2012. Our clients for new sites or upgrades are already prepared.
Past customers, or any small business owner, who feel their website is a one time investment and “good enough” as-is need to reconsider.
Since 2012, our advice has been: Go Mobile, Add Content, Get Social. A launch and forget website is not a positive experience strategy.
Congratulations, and thank you, to those clients who followed our advice to invest in mobile, add content, and join social media sites.
Need help? Now is the time to go mobile. Contact us today for a free no obligation evaluation of your website and social site strategy.