From 21 April, 2015, Google officially includes mobile usability in their ranking algorithms. Google claims it will have a “significant” impact on mobile search results.
It is part of their push to give mobile users a better search experience – something Google has been working towards since early 2014.
By their new criteria, you are either mobile or not. There is no part way.
How do I know if my site is mobile or not?
Search results on mobile had already been showing the label “Mobile-friendly.” According to Google, the label appears if your website:
- Avoids functions that don’t work on mobile devices, such as shockwave or Flash
- Uses text that is readable without zooming
- Sizes content to the screen so users don’t have to scroll horizontally or zoom
- Places links far enough apart so that the correct one can be easily tapped
To find out if your site is mobile-friendly under the new Google search criteria, you can run it through their Mobile-Friendly Test tool.
If your website passes, that’s “Awesome!”
Otherwise, the tool will provide recommendations on improving your site.
If your website is two or more years old, chances are you will need to make some updates. The responsive, adaptive or liquid websites of only a few years ago no longer keep up with what is expected for smartphone technology today.
What are your thoughts on the impact of mobile-friendliness? Leave a comment below.
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