Google Announces Altered Mobile-Friendly Ranking Signals

Although Google has been known to keep their algorithm patterns unidentified, they have recently released information pertaining to their upcoming enhancements toward improved responsive web. In response to the increasing number of tablet and mobile users, Google is taking steps toward improving search results according to their user’s specific device.

The announcement states, “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 to the higher emphasis of mobile-friendliness, Google also expressed the use of app indexing to surface content within search results.

In simplest terms: Google will soon be favoring websites that are responsively designed within search engine results. For mobile users, this means Google will provide relevant and timely results that are best suited for the user according to their device.

In turn, businesses with websites that are not properly optimized for mobile use will be “penalized” as they will be filtered out of a mobile user’s search results. If your business is still working toward the development of a mobile-friendly website – Pick up the pace! Google’s ranking signal updates identify mobile-friendliness as a crucial aspect to implement in your 2015 business model, especially for those who rely on search for marketing.

Click here to read more of Google’s ranking signal announcement.

For more information on mobile optimization, check out Google’s Guide for mobile-friendly websites.

Looking for more tips on responsive mobile sites? Check out our Mobile Web Design page!