Google launches a new algorithm for mobile devices

The shift to mobile is well underway in Quebec

Over half (52%) of the Quebec adult population owned a smartphone or a tablet in 2013. Furthermore, 9 out of 10 adults who own a tablet use it to surf the web while the ratio is 3 out of 4 for smartphones, according to a NETendances mobility survey in 2013.

Google’s new mobile features

Google will announce a new mobile-friendly algorithm on April 21st, 2015, and here is a look at what we know and how we should adapt. There is no mystery, Google is leading the mobile revolution, Google is the largest supplier of (Android) mobile platforms in the world and the most important search engine. Google is also the largest seller of mobile apps.

Google will redesign its search algorithm to favour responsive websites

According to Google Webmaster Central, Google is about to launch the most significant mobile algorithm yet:

“Starting April 21st, we will extend our usage of mobile friendliness as a major factor of page ranking. “

In a few days, you will see a major algorithm update. In fact, this change will have more impact than Penguin or Panda.

What’s a responsive website?

Responsive Web Design signifies that the page is using the same URL and the same code as on a desktop, tablet or smartphone, but the display gets resized according to screen size. A dynamic website allows the content to adapt to different screen sizes while using the same URL and same code. One of the benefits of RWD is that you only have to update one version of your website instead of two.

How to know if your website is mobile-friendly?

To know if your website is mobile-friendly, you just need to launch your website on the Google mobile-friendly test-page : https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/mobile-friendly/

Another way to check if it is responsive is to surf your website on a mobile device. If the SERP log sports the mobile-friendly tag, then you’ll know that you’re fine with Google. Finally, you could test your website in the Google Webmaster Tools tab to discover all the pertinent recommendations allowing to improve mobile usage.

This algorithm shift will be important

This modification will affect mobile searches in all languages throughout the world and will have a significant impact on search results.

What will be the real impact of this important algorithm shift?

First and foremost, we know that this update will be wider than Penguin or Panda. We also know that mobile is present in almost all Google events. It seems that non-optimized pages will be found at the bottom of mobile ranking. All pages without mobile optimization will stop showing in expression ranking. We can forecast that SERP results on longtail keywords first page, past a certain threshold of frequency, will showcase mobile-friendly pages.

The algorithm will evaluate each page individually

One important aspect of this mobile algorithm is that it will analyze mobile compatibility on a page per page basis instead of an entire website. What does that mean practically? If your website has optimized mobile pages and other pages that are not, Google will look at it separately and push forward the optimized ones. Google will not penalize a whole website based on few non-optimized pages.

Furthermore, if a website is well designed and mobile compatible, then this algorithm should not be a big problem. There are definitely some websites with some optimized pages and others without, but generally a website is either mobile friendly or not.

This algorithm operates in real time

Google explains that this algorithm operates in real time, so, technically, you can redesign your website any day and as soon as Google notices the changes, the website will start benefiting from new referencing by the mobile-friendly algorithm.

Obviously, Google can’t evaluate a website mobile friendliness only by analyzing the search page and index. If the page is not mobile compatible as of April 21st, but becomes mobile-friendly as of April 25, we suppose that Google’s next indexation should be in a position to identify it as responsive.

What works on a desktop also works on a mobile device… sort of

Google is already a search engine featuring web pages compatible with desktop and mobile. For example, page loading speed, will have impact on desktop and mobile search.

We can assume that some features good for the office will be just as good for mobile, as long as the page has a mobile-friendly design. We have to keep in mind that the algorithm can start differentiating diverse factors that are actually regrouped into one and the same thing.

App indexation will be taken into account in search results

App indexation is a new functionality of this algorithm and will be exclusive to websites associated with Android apps. According to Google Webmaster Central: Starting today, we will start using information from indexed apps as a ranking for users that have installed the apps. The aim of this feature is likely to tighten the link between mobile search and mobile apps.

What should you do now?

It will be imperative to adapt to this new mobile digital marketing universe. Google has shown the way:

1. Make your website mobile-friendly. Responsiveis even better.
2. Solve all mobile usage problems in Google Webmaster Tools.
3. If you have an Android app associated with your website, get deeplinkedand index it as soon as possible.
4. Watch closely your parameters and follow deployment of the algorithm shift as of April 21^st.
5. Keep learning, listening, testing your website to adapt to search engines evolution such as Google.

You can measure your website’s performance by analyzing the way mobile Internet users can complete their tasks and meet their objectives. There are ways to design your website to ensure an optimal user experience on mobile devices. Above all, concentrate on your user interface’s cohesiveness to create a unified experience amongst the different platforms.

According to MediaPost: “Above all, buyers on mobile buying sites look for ease of usage. 48 % of participants have indicated that it was the most important quality of all mobile websites.”

So, what are you planning of doing for your website before April 21^st?

The work required to transition to a mobile compatible website depends on your development resources, your business model and your level of expertise.

Amauta Marketing can help you adapt your website and make it mobile compatible plus do everything in its power to make sure it shows in the first Google search engine results.

For more information on our web services, visit our website at: https://www.amautamarketing.com/services/