neshaword

Whenever I hear that a major cyber change is to take place, because “we need to improve user’s experience,” I myself experience a specific type of digestive problems. So, Google wants to remind me that I need to make my users happy, by providing them with the mobile time of their lives. Seriously? Behind every heartbreaking desire to make our world a better place is a Gordon Gekko’s greed-is-good profit imperative. As soon as Google has realized that the number of smartphone searches will eventually overthrow desktop search, we were rewarded with the Mobilegeddon. It’s Google’s mobile way or poor search results highway.

Happy First Mobilegeddon Anniversary!

So, here we are, a year later. The brave new mobile world. How does it look to you? What about your mobile experience? I suck at math, but what I’ve been able to Google says that a year prior to Mobilegeddon we had a bearable, more or less, the gap between mobile and desktop search result of around 60%. Now, a year later we’re talking about more than 75% difference. Does this ring any bells? It would be ridiculous to think that Google will pause or at least “soften” its mobile activities and requirements. The smell of mobile blood will only attract even bigger algorithm sharks.

Talking about SEO algorithm changes, you know how it goes, don’t you? There’s a time frame available for you to adapt (read: to spend more money), or in case you’re impatient or desperate you can pay Google to fix your mobile search situation. Google is shamelessly prioritizing mobile searches and Internet marketers have a limited maneuvering space. If you’re a designer or SEO services provider, this is an (un)expected open season. You don’t have to do too much convincing why your client needs a new mobile or a fully responsive site. The message just couldn’t be possibly clearer: ignore new Google’s mobile orders, if you dare.

Mobile Marketers (Are Late) Come to the Rescue!

This was supposed to be a new mobile gold rush for Internet marketers. Yet, the overwhelming majority of them used the last resort option in order to deal with the declining traffic. Can you guess what it is? Well, they’re buying mobile ads like crazy. You can rest assured that they don’t even dare to think about complaining. Now, your quality score is determined mainly on your mobile-friendliness. So, a mobile-friendly landing page will get you more clicks and better visibility. There’s no need to be a rocket scientist here. You play a mobile game and you don’t forget to smile all the time. Mobile components of old marketing campaigns were an option before the Mobilegeddon. Now, they’re an absolute must.

Mobile comes first, forget about the rest. Google has always known how to deliver its messages in a painfully clear and understandable way. There’s no need to make a drama out of Google’s mobile requirements. Yet, at the same time, there’s really no need to hide behind annoying phrases, such as ensuring a better mobile experience for your users.

Small Screens – Huge Opportunities

It’s not a win-win situation, but let’s face it, it’s not a lose-lose situation for Internet marketers, either. Google wasn’t gentle when it comes to its new mobile ways, but at least, we got more potential clients. We’ll be able to reach more people. Isn’t it just great? Who cares what’s the size of the screen is, as long as it gets you what you want in numbers you can only dream about. If we are to be heartless economic analysts, Internet marketers lost a lot as a result of Mobilegeddon, but in return, they got so much more than expected. So, we don’t have the right to complain. Right? We may even have to thank Google for new mobile opportunities.

So, mobile Internet marketing is the future? Somewhere on the way, you’re going to witness a transformation when mobile Internet marketing is going to lose The Internet, and we’re going to end up with (just) mobile marketing. That’s going to be a more accurate definition of our marketing future. Yet, at the same time, it would be wrong to think that mobile marketing is going to be nothing more than Internet marketing for small screens. It’s not an exaggeration to say that we behave a little bit different, when we are in our mobile world. Our shopping preferences tend to change. So, mobile marketing will have to reinvent itself, more or less, in order to catch the most profitable wave.

Much Ado about Mobilegeddon

This story had quite a dramatic and dark introduction. Yet, as we’re reaching the conclusion zone, it turns out that Mobilegeddon is definitely not Bogeyman for any serious Internet marketer. The funny thing, though, is that despite all Google mobile “threats” and warning 2 to 3 websites in 10 still “refuse” to be mobile-friendly. Maybe, the business is as usual, but it’s only a matter of time before the mobile tsunami hit their shores. Is this an exaggeration?

Wait, let me examine my own mobile situation. We have one desktop computer, because I’m one of the first Millennials. So, when I was a kid mobile phones were (not) around. Now, we have 3 laptops and 4 smartphones. We just ordered a new smartphone, and I’m thinking about buying a used laptop, just to do the job. So, what do you think how much time we usually spend on our only desktop computer? Yes, when it comes to games, our oldie goldie desktop is unmatchable. But, all three of us are 24/7 in the mobile world. I can’t remember when was the last time I watched TV in the “traditional way.” Why should I, when I have an HBO and a D3GO apps on my smartphone?

Now, my last question. Do busy little bees in Google know who William Gibson is? Have they read Neuromancer? If this is true, then we’re in trouble. Do you know why?

Hudson White

Back in 2015 Google made some drastic changes to mobile ranking signals. This is looking to be the second half of the change with some specific change points that Google released in their announcements.

Here are 2 good read for you:
Google
Google Set to Strengthen Mobile-Friendly Signals this May - DigitalSuccessAgency