Posted by
Shiri Berzack
In November, Google updated their search algorithm to recognize mobile-friendly sites in the mobile SERPs with a “Mobile-friendly” tag alongside the result. This pushed webmasters to make sure that their websites were translating correctly onto mobile, or to create a separate, mobile site. Now, Google has announced that it wants to take that a step further by pushing mobile-friendliness as a ranking factor, plus including more relevant app content in search results.
Google has made many moves towards promoting mobile-friendly sites, including allowing their algorithm to detect if a mobile site is configured correctly and viewable on mobile devices, making it easier for users to identify mobile-friendly content. They have also introduced app-indexing which allows them to surface useful content from apps to display in search results.
Mobile Friendliness
On April 21st Google will be expanding mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal, which will affect mobile searches internationally, across all languages. This should have a significant impact on search results, while providing better and more relevant data for users. In order to confirm that pages on your site are mobile friendly, use Google’s Mobile-friendly test or you can use your Webmaster tools account to “get a full list of mobile usability issues across your site using the Mobile Usability Report.”
How mobile-friendly is your website? When optimizing your page for a specific keyword, use our On-Page Keyword Optimization tool and take a look at the Mobile Accessibility test section.
App Indexing
The other big change is that Google has implemented is “to use information from indexed apps as a factor in ranking for signed-in users who have the app installed.”
This could mean that results which include content from indexed apps may feature more prominently in search results. So if you have to entered into the app sphere, it is even more important now to utilize ASO (App Store Optimization) best practices.
Is your app optimized for Google’s indexing? Rank Ranger’s ASO tracking features include Google Play Store and iTunes store tracking.
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