MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA - Website operators are reportedly in a tizzy as a result of Google implementing a new search algorithm, launching today, April 21, that will favor sites that are deemed to be more smartphone friendly in its search results.
How does this affect you?
If your site is considered good for mobile viewing, it’s a plus. But according to a USA Today report, Forrester Research found that 62 percent of business sites are not conducive to smartphones while about 86 percent of U.S. smartphone users make their searches through Google.
“As people increasingly search on their mobile devices, we want to make sure they can find content that’s not only relevant and timely, but also easy to read and interact with on smaller mobile screens,” a Google spokeswoman said, according to the Wall Street Journal.
And now Google is making a move to push businesses to do just that. The Wall Street Journal reported that web developers have been in a “panic and frenzy” getting ready for the launch, calling it “mobilegeddon.”
Websites that are considered viewable for smartphones have readable text that isn’t too small, don’t take too long to load, and are easily navigated without too many graphics. Google provides a mobile-friendly test, which you can try by clicking here, to see if your website qualifies.
Those that do will be closer to the top of Google’s search results.
Google reportedly does not expect we will see any changes from this algorithm until next week.
