Dive Brief:
- Google’s mobile-friendly algorithm update could affect 44% of Fortune 500 companies’ websites, according to tests reported by TechCrunch.
- A site must be easy to use from a mobile device, otherwise it will be downgraded in smartphone search results.
- Search accounted for 43% of smartphone traffic in Q1 2015, according to a study from Branding Brand, up 5% from the previous quarter.
Dive Insight:
According to tests run by TechCrunch, the new, “mobile-friendly” Google search algorithm launched may affect more than 40% of Fortune 500 companies’ sites. While only about half (52%) of the Fortune 500 operate mobile-friendly sites ahead of the update, top retailers’ sites such as Wal-Mart and Costco were ready for the change.
To be judged mobile-friendly, a site must offer readable text without a lot of touch adjustments, easy-to-use tap targets and other features. The algorithm will only affect search results on smartphones.
Google’s move is not only an affirmation of smartphone growth, but also an effort to maintain relevance in the mobile space. While search accounts for 43% of smartphone traffic, Google must compete with native apps and push notifications for mobile mindshare.