Mobile-friendly Websites Now Get listed First in Google Search Results!
On April 21, 2015, Google changed its search algorithm to favor mobile-friendly websites in its search ranking. What this means is that mobile-friendly sites will appear in search results before websites that are not mobile-friendly. Here is what Google announced:
Why mobile usability?
Google Search aims to deliver the most relevant-and useful-information to people seeking answers. For that reason, we want to ensure a meaningful "after-click" experience that helps people use information relevant to their task.
Because global web traffic from mobile devices is on the rise, and recent studies show that mobile visitors are more likely to revisit mobile-friendly sites, mobile usability is now relevant for optimal search results. This means that search results for mobile users should lead to content that is usable in the following ways:
- A defined viewing area (or viewport) that adjusts to the device's screen size.
- Content that flows in the viewport, so that users don't have to scroll horizontally or pinch the screen in order to see the entire page.
- Fonts that scale for easier reading on small screens.
- Easy-to-touch elements (e.g., buttons) that are well-spaced from other touch elements.
- Visual design and motion driven by mobile-friendly technology.
Since mid-2013, I have been using new technology to build, and convert, websites to meet the usability criteria listed above. Sites that were built before that time should be converted in order to ensure that they will maintain or improve their ranking in Google search results.
Here are a few examples of my client websites that are mobile-friendly. Please view the sites in both a computer and a phone or tablet to see how they appear and work in both large and small screens.
http://www.actorsnetbucks.org/
http://www.americandrivingschool.biz/
