In a post on Google’s official blog, Google announced the addition of mobile-friendly factors to the ranking algorithm. How will this change affect the rankings of your web pages and what do you have to do to benefit from this change?
What exactly has Google announced?
Starting on 21 April 2015, Google will be using mobile friendly factors in the ranking algorithm for mobile search 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.”
In addition, Google has started to use information from indexed apps as a factor in ranking for signed-in users who have the app installed. As a result, Google may now surface content from indexed apps more prominently in search.
What do you have to do now?
It is important to make sure that your web pages are mobile-friendly. Fortunately, Google has a tool for this that is available here. Just enter the URL of your website and click the “Analyze” button. If your website passes the test, you will see something like this:
If your website fails the test then you have to adjust the design of your web pages. Instead of creating a separate website for mobile devices, you could use responsive design for your web pages. If you use WordPress, there are many themes that support responsive design.
Being mobile-friendly is not enough
A website that currently does not have high rankings won’t get high rankings just because it is mobile-friendly. There are many more things that Google wants to find on your web pages. Check your website with the website audit tool in SEOprofiler to make sure that Google can index all pages of your website.
In addition, use the Top 10 Optimizer in SEOprofiler to make sure that Google shows your web pages for the right keywords. If you haven’t done it yet, create your SEOprofiler account now: