Google has officially begun rolling out the recently announced “Mobile-friendly” label for their mobile search result pages. What does this mean for website owners? Essentially, Google is giving recognition (and possible preferential treatment) to websites earning Mobile-friendly status.
What Is Required For Google’s Mobile-friendly label?
A page is eligible for the “mobile-friendly” label if it meets the following criteria as detected by Googlebot:
- Avoids software that is not common on mobile devices, like Flash
- Uses text that is readable without zooming
- Sizes content to the screen so users don’t have to scroll horizontally or zoom
- Places links far enough apart so that the correct one can be easily tapped
You can use Google’s Mobile-friendly Test to see if your website is mobile-friendly.
What Happens If I’m Not Mobile-friendly?
Right now? Nothing. Google already penalized websites with a bad mobile experience back in June of 2013. The new Mobile-friendly label is simply a boost to qualifying sites and not a penalty. If you consider missing out on the boost to your rankings a passive penalty, then yes you will indirectly be penalized for not having a Mobile-friendly website.
How Long Do I Have To Become Mobile-friendly?
You don’t need to panic. You don’t need to call up your marketing company or webmaster before you have your first cup of coffee. Take a deep breath! You still have time to make all of the necessary updates. The real impact of Google’s Mobile-friendly label will not be apparent for at least a few months.
Can Developers Lab Make My Website Mobile-friendly?
Yes! Our team of talented designers can update your existing website or create an entirely new mobile-friendly design that meets both your business’ needs AND Google’s Mobile-friendly requirements. Contact us today and one of our experienced website design specialists will be happy to assist you.