Mobile Search Question

CPAmum · 21st Oct 2011, 06:23 PM

Hi all!

I'm still on the "wonderful world of mobile" learning curve and have a question about "mobile optimized" sites.

I recently had a conversation with someone at Google in which we discussed how Google is encouraging Adwords advertisers to make sure their landing pages are mobile optimized.

As most of you probably know, having a mobile optimized landing page is expected to help an advertiser with its Google mobile ad quality score.

Our conversation then shifted to organic and this insider implied that similar standards might eventually be applied to Websites which hoped to rank well in organic mobile search.

This is where I got a bit lost.

Is Google mobile search different in any way from Google desktop search?
If not, is it expected to become a different critter?

Just trying to get my brain around the idea that Websites that are optimized for mobile may eventually rank better in search.

Anybody heard anything about this?

Thanks!

CPAmum · 21st Oct 2011, 06:29 PM

Forgot to add: Here's the link to a post about mobile search ads quality scores from Google. As mentioned, you've probably seen this, and if so, pardon the redundancy.

Mobile website optimization now factors into mobile search ads quality - Google Mobile Ads Blog

WillR · 21st Oct 2011, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by CPAmum

Is Google mobile search different in any way from Google desktop search?

Yes, it is. I can't for the life of me remember who conducted the research but they found after comparing the results of thousands of Google desktop searches with those on Google when using a mobile device, 85% of the search results were different. So yes, they definitely do serve up different results to mobile users.

Considering the latest data from Google suggests 40% of Google mobile searches are now location based, I would assume the Google mobile search results favor those types of local businesses in their results.

CPAmum · 24th Oct 2011, 02:56 PM

Thanks!

1) It would seem that (if we can find the documentation) this would be a good way to encourage business owners to mobile optimize their sites, yes?

2) If Google mobile search is different, I wonder why that we haven't heard a lot (at least I haven't

) about seo for Google mobile search (beyond having a mobile optimized site)? Do you think this is something what will emerge down the road?

CPAmum · 24th Oct 2011, 07:24 PM

Hey Will, I think I may have found the research to which you referred. Is this it?

Differences in Mobile Smartphone Ranking and Desktop Web Ranking in Google Search | Natural Search & Mobile SEO Blog

David Judge · 24th Oct 2011, 08:46 PM

This is a really good read and I've been mucking around with this for a bit to see.

Out of interest, I recently added Mobile compatibility (3 months ago) to 4 clients wordpress based sites, and under the set-up it asks you to define a couple of SEO based features like title tag, description, etc.

When measuring a change in analytics (yes I know, not the best source) I noticed a sustained increase of users accessing the site from mobile devices.

The average increase was around 10% and a majority of the visitors were from Google.

Based on these numbers I am already talking to a number of my clients about the possibility as well as general mobile functionality. I'll definitely need more time though to measure a change in on site conversions from mobile.

AdamWagner · 25th Oct 2011, 01:02 AM

They are often different in the type of content that is being searched for or that would be useful to look at through a mobile browser.

For example, most people are looking for a quick and easy answer when searching on their mobile device. Therefore, it behooves Google to return sites that function well on a mobile device, because then the user will have an easier time accessing the queried information.

andy25i · 25th Oct 2011, 04:15 AM

Originally Posted by AdamWagner

They are often different in the type of content that is being searched for or that would be useful to look at through a mobile browser.

For example, most people are looking for a quick and easy answer when searching on their mobile device. Therefore, it behooves Google to return sites that function well on a mobile device, because then the user will have an easier time accessing the queried information.

I agree with you. The searches on mobiles are basically for instant need and the results must be returned as quick as possible. The Very basic reason to optimize a mobile site differently from a Desktop website is the hardware requirements of the Devices. The Desktop can handle bulky data but a mobile device can not process data that are for desktops.

CPAmum · 25th Oct 2011, 09:36 AM

Good input all!

WillR, are you still hangin' around this thread?

If so, what are your thoughts about seo for mobile sites? Same principals as seo for desktop sites?

Hope to hear from you!

Simeon Tuitt · 25th Oct 2011, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by CPAmum

Hi all!

I'm still on the "wonderful world of mobile" learning curve and have a question about "mobile optimized" sites.

I recently had a conversation with someone at Google in which we discussed how Google is encouraging Adwords advertisers to make sure their landing pages are mobile optimized.

As most of you probably know, having a mobile optimized landing page is expected to help an advertiser with its Google mobile ad quality score.

Our conversation then shifted to organic and this insider implied that similar standards might eventually be applied to Websites which hoped to rank well in organic mobile search.

This is where I got a bit lost.

Is Google mobile search different in any way from Google desktop search?
If not, is it expected to become a different critter?

Just trying to get my brain around the idea that Websites that are optimized for mobile may eventually rank better in search.

Anybody heard anything about this?

Thanks!

Hi, in regards to your question "Is Google mobile search different in any way from Google desktop search? If not, is it expected to become a different critter?" In my opinion Google mobile search at the moment is currently just a scaled down version of desktop search, at this point mobile sites are not given priority in searches, the results you see on mobile search are the same as the desktop searches. I think the reason mobile sites are not appearing prominently in mobile searches yet is because there are not that many mobile sites at the moment and not enough with enough clout to grant being ranked over a highly visited desktop site.

TheGreyling · 25th Oct 2011, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Information Publishing

Hi, in regards to your question "Is Google mobile search different in any way from Google desktop search? If not, is it expected to become a different critter?" In my opinion Google mobile search at the moment is currently just a scaled down version of desktop search, at this point mobile sites are not given priority in searches, the results you see on mobile search are the same as the desktop searches. I think the reason mobile sites are not appearing prominently in mobile searches yet is because there are not that many mobile sites at the moment and not enough with enough clout to grant being ranked over a highly visited desktop site.

Certainly my experience (in the UK at least) is that mobile and desktop search are currently one and the same.

I am at a loss tho' - and would appreciate any assistance - as to how you can optimise a mobile site when, for the most part all you have on it are an address and opening hours. Sure you can do the meta tags and title tags etc., but that's not enough to overtake well established desktop sites in the same niche with loads of relevant content. (BTW, I'm specifically talking about standalone .mobi sites here). Or is the only real way to do this to redirect from a desktop site and not try to rank the .mobi site?

I'm assuming that at some point there will be a mobile search function that will make it worthwhile having a .mobi site - of course I could be wrong.........

Simeon Tuitt · 29th Oct 2011, 03:54 AM

Originally Posted by kevinberman

I have a question about the Google mobile search. I read that when you do a google search on a phone, all the pages are converted to a format for mobile phones. is it correct can any one tell me

No pages are not turned into a mobile format on G Mobile search, but you can set your phone if a smartphone to make the page fit the screen, but all it does is reduce the proportions so there is still a lot of pinch and zoom going on.

Could you imagine the nightmare if the BIG G did mobilize peoples desktop sites for mobile, they would lose all functions and interactivity that was set by the webmaster. G does have a tool though for reducing most any sites down to a mobile size, but they never released it to the masses, it literally strips everything down to make any site mobile friendly, been a while since I seen it though. The best thing to do is make a mobile version of your site at m.yourdomain.com the m. way of accessing mobile content is what all the big boys do online m.facebook.com m.ebay.com m.twitter.com which has oddly enough turned to mobile.twitter.com I think at some point the BIG G will scan peoples sites to see if they have an m. folder to know whether they offer mobile content to site viewers.

Sorry if this is more information than you wanted, I do tend to go on a bit.

21st Oct 2011, 06:23 PM	#1
CPAmum HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2009 Posts: 104 Thanks: 26 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Mobile Search Question Share on: Hi all! I'm still on the "wonderful world of mobile" learning curve and have a question about "mobile optimized" sites. I recently had a conversation with someone at Google in which we discussed how Google is encouraging Adwords advertisers to make sure their landing pages are mobile optimized. As most of you probably know, having a mobile optimized landing page is expected to help an advertiser with its Google mobile ad quality score. Our conversation then shifted to organic and this insider implied that similar standards might eventually be applied to Websites which hoped to rank well in organic mobile search. This is where I got a bit lost. Is Google mobile search different in any way from Google desktop search? If not, is it expected to become a different critter? Just trying to get my brain around the idea that Websites that are optimized for mobile may eventually rank better in search. Anybody heard anything about this? Thanks!

21st Oct 2011, 06:29 PM	#2
CPAmum HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2009 Posts: 104 Thanks: 26 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Mobile Search Question Share on: Forgot to add: Here's the link to a post about mobile search ads quality scores from Google. As mentioned, you've probably seen this, and if so, pardon the redundancy. Mobile website optimization now factors into mobile search ads quality - Google Mobile Ads Blog

24th Oct 2011, 02:56 PM	#4
CPAmum HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2009 Posts: 104 Thanks: 26 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Mobile Search Question Share on: Thanks! 1) It would seem that (if we can find the documentation) this would be a good way to encourage business owners to mobile optimize their sites, yes? 2) If Google mobile search is different, I wonder why that we haven't heard a lot (at least I haven't ) about seo for Google mobile search (beyond having a mobile optimized site)? Do you think this is something what will emerge down the road?

24th Oct 2011, 07:24 PM	#5
CPAmum HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2009 Posts: 104 Thanks: 26 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Mobile Search Question Share on: Hey Will, I think I may have found the research to which you referred. Is this it? Differences in Mobile Smartphone Ranking and Desktop Web Ranking in Google Search \| Natural Search & Mobile SEO Blog

24th Oct 2011, 08:46 PM	#6
David Judge Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 26 Thanks: 5 Thanked 13 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Mobile Search Question Share on: This is a really good read and I've been mucking around with this for a bit to see. Out of interest, I recently added Mobile compatibility (3 months ago) to 4 clients wordpress based sites, and under the set-up it asks you to define a couple of SEO based features like title tag, description, etc. When measuring a change in analytics (yes I know, not the best source) I noticed a sustained increase of users accessing the site from mobile devices. The average increase was around 10% and a majority of the visitors were from Google. Based on these numbers I am already talking to a number of my clients about the possibility as well as general mobile functionality. I'll definitely need more time though to measure a change in on site conversions from mobile.

25th Oct 2011, 01:02 AM	#7
AdamWagner Blogger and Beginner SEO Join Date: 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 36 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Mobile Search Question Share on: They are often different in the type of content that is being searched for or that would be useful to look at through a mobile browser. For example, most people are looking for a quick and easy answer when searching on their mobile device. Therefore, it behooves Google to return sites that function well on a mobile device, because then the user will have an easier time accessing the queried information.
	Adam Wagner \| Buy Cheap Backlinks \| The Hobbit eBook

25th Oct 2011, 09:36 AM	#9
CPAmum HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2009 Posts: 104 Thanks: 26 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Mobile Search Question Share on: Good input all! WillR, are you still hangin' around this thread? If so, what are your thoughts about seo for mobile sites? Same principals as seo for desktop sites? Hope to hear from you!