Google’s “mobile-friendly” search algorithm finally goes into effect today. A large number of businesses across the globe could witness a decline in their search rankings. Google uses more than 200 factors, mobile friendliness being the latest, to list websites on its search engine. The new algorithm update will punish websites that are not mobile-friendly.
Google to treat desktop and mobile searches differently
The Guardian says that small businesses will likely be the biggest victims of the ‘mobilegeddon‘ due to resources required to respond to these changes. Desktop searches won’t be affected by the algorithm change. That’s because desktop searches won’t be treated the same way as mobile searches. For mobile search rankings, Google will use, among other things, the information contained within apps and deep links in apps to content as a factor.
Google had warned in February that its new update will have a “significant impact” on search rankings, considering about 50% of traffic to websites is through mobile devices. But you don’t have to panic. How do you respond to these changes? First, click here and enter your website URL to find out if your site is mobile-friendly. You are probably already covered if you are using Weebly or Squarespace.
Three ways to survive Google’s mobilegeddon
Next, take a look at your analytics. If most of your searches are via desktop, you have a little more time than others. If your site is not mobile-friendly, make it. Google lists three ways to pass its ‘mobilegeddon.’ One, offer a responsive design, in which your website adjusts its interface based on the screen size. Two, get a dynamically served website, where difference devices are served a different version of your site.
The third way is to create an alternate mobile page, where users are directed to a separate URL if they are using a mobile device. Google is spending a lot of time and resources to monitor the mobile search traffic and content. The newest update serves as an indicator of more changes to come.
