March 20, 2105
Google’s latest mobile search algorithm, due out in April 2015, will be giving more weight to mobile-friendly websites when searched for on mobile devices.
The following announcement was posted in Google's Webmaster Tools accounts:
"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."
And, Google has been sending out email's entitled "Fix mobile usability issues found on" with instructions on how to update websites.
Since mobile use covers about 60% of the time spent online and since Google is taking the time to alert website owner's in advance, this algorithm change is difficult to ignore. Some of the key factors to mobile-friendly websites include appropriately sized text, graphics that adjust to fit the viewing area, and spacing between hyperlinks and buttons. In the past, separate websites were built for mobile use. However, today more web developers are opting for Responsive Designs where one website is programmed to adjust depending upon the size of the viewport of the Desktop, Tablet, or SmartPhone.
If you have questions regarding rebuilding your website to pass Google's Mobile-Friendly test, feel free to contact Mary Vassilakis here...
