As if it wasn’t already big enough, the need for mobile compatible websites is about to grow. Nothing has changed in terms of the rate at which consumers are accessing websites through mobile devices. Instead, Google is prepared to release another update to its search engine results page (SERP).
Except this time, it’s not a Panda or Penguin update. In fact, it has nothing to do with Google’s algorithm. Instead, Google will start to label which websites are mobile-friendly on its mobile SERP.
A recent PC World article discusses Google’s new update. The article explains what it will take for websites to be labeled as mobile-friendly:
“In the next few weeks, Google will start to label websites that render well on mobile devices and is considering giving that label weight as a search rank signal, the company said Tuesday. Websites can earn a ”mobile-friendly” badge that is displayed with search results if the site avoids requiring software such as Adobe Systems’ Flash, which isn’t officially supported in later versions of Android or by Apple’s iOS.”
So there are two things you can do to make sure your website will be labeled as mobile-friendly. Make sure your site doesn’t require Adobe Flash – it probably doesn’t – and check to see if your site is supported on the latest versions of Android and iOS.
This update is going to have a major impact on digital marketing. Businesses will have to update their websites so they’re labeled as mobile-friendly. Otherwise, consumers will just avoid their website on mobile devices.
But even more important than the update it is the direction Google is headed in. Expect future Panda and Penguin updates to focus on mobile websites. If your website isn’t optimized for mobile devices, then it’s time to consider a new web design.
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