What’s This All About!?
This week, specifically on April 21, Google has started to implement a new algorithm specifically geared towards search engine results on mobile devices. The easiest way I can explain it, is that Google is now checking to make sure websites are responsive (or ‘mobile friendly’.)
A responsive website is one that ‘re-aligns’ itself based on the size of the screen. Actually, if you take this screen (the one you’re reading this on) and re-size the screen to a smaller dimension you’ll see that it certain parts of the website ‘shift’ or change.
The good news is that WordPress makes it very simple for a website to be responsive and most themes are responsive. 99% of websites made from I Heart Blank are already responsive websites.
The New York Times also has an explanation that might help:
Google is about to change the way its influential search engine recommends websites on smartphones in a shift that’s expected to sway where millions of people shop, eat and find information.
The revised formula, scheduled to be released Tuesday, will favor websites that Google defines as “mobile-friendly.” Websites that don’t fit the description will be demoted in Google’s search results on smartphones while those meeting the criteria will be more likely to appear at the top of the rankings — a prized position that can translate into more visitors and money.
Although Google’s new formula won’t affect searches on desktop and laptop computers, it will have a huge influence on how and where people spend their money, given that more people are relying on their smartphones to compare products in stores and look for restaurants. That’s why Google’s new rating system is being billed by some search experts as “Mobile-geddon.”
Mobile-geddon References
If you’re interested in reading more about “Mobile-geddon,” I’ve provided a few links below that I believe explain it the best. : )
- What Is Mobilegeddon & The Google Mobile Friendly Update
- FAQs about the April 21st mobile-friendly update (via Google)
- Mobile-Friendly Websites Guild (via Google)
- Google’s “Mobile-Friendly” Update Could Impact Over 40% Of Fortune 500 Websites
- Google Confirms Mobile Friendly Algorithm Roll Out Completely Live In Some Data Centers
What Makes A Site Mobile-Friendly
Voice Over Xtra has a little article about some other things that makes a website Mobile-Friendly:
- Website software that’s compatible with mobile (so no Flash, for example)
- Large, readable text without zooming
- Content automatically resizes to fit the screen (so you don’t have to scroll horizontally)
- Large links with plenty of space between each so they are easily tapped
How To Check Your Site
Whether you have a website with us or not, here are directions to see if your site is mobile friendly:
- Go to Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test Page.
- Enter your URL and click “analyze.”
- Read the results!!!
It’s pretty easy!
Conclusion
There’s not too much cause for alarm if either I Heart Blank has made your site, or if you’d gotten a new site made over the past few years. If you find out your website is not mobile friendly and you’d like I Heart Blank to help, please contact us.