On April 21 Google launched an algorithm, referred to as “Mobilegeddon,” that intended to favor websites that were “mobile-friendly.”
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.
People using Google to search while on their mobile devices might find their favorite sites ranked lower in the results than before because the specific site is not optimized for their devices.
Many argued that the algorithm could mean huge losses for businesses that hadn’t updated their websites to be accessible for mobile devices. But let’s face it, the era of desktop-only experience is gone, and if a website isn’t accessible or is difficult to use on a small device, then there will be no repeat visits, no customers, no money. Sad face.
{Aside: The data out there suggests that the sooner businesses adapt for mobile, the better considering:
91% of Americans own a mobile phone
Mobile now makes up 20% of all web traffic, and it’s growing
68% of Americans access the web from a mobile device
33% of mobile, web capable Americans access the web solely through a mobile phone
Not to mention, it’s no secret that Responsive design is Google’s recommended site design approach. }
While the results of the algorithm were slow to see after the first week, it would appear that business that do not offer a “mobile friendly” site are clearly seeing their mobile search results rank drop. While the algorithm doesn’t affect any desktop searches, website TechCrunch found that 44% of Fortune 500 companies failed Google’s mobile friendly test. That’s a huge number of large businesses that have completely ignored mobile/small screens.
Adapt or Die.
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