Mobile optimization is the need of the hour. Mobile has grown at a fantastic pace - not just in screen size and technical specs, but in usage as well. Google has pointed out time and again that mobile optimization is a must for ranking well in search engines. Recently, it introduced a label for mobile-friendly sites to be displayed in search results. In contrast, a red label was introduced for sites that were slow and not mobile-friendly. Google has made two more important changes recently that reflect on the importance of mobile optimization.
Mobile friendliness as a ranking signal
Up until now, mobile friendliness has remained a best practice, a plus point, a mere usability feature that is nice to have and that will keep users happy. Sites that were mobile-optimized indirectly benefited in search engines as they saw more user engagement, lesser bounce rate, and a generally favorable response from both the users and the search engines.
It never was a direct signal for ranking a website.
Until now.
With the recent changes to mobile search in a bid to make it more user-friendly, Google has made it abundantly clear that mobile-friendliness will now be used as a ranking signal. In fact, they're given a date for this - 21st April. According to Google;
Starting April 21, Google Search will be expanding its use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal. This change will affect mobile searches in all languages worldwide and will have a significant impact in Google Search results. Users will find it easier to get relevant, high quality search results optimized for their devices.
You can implement changes to our website before the 21st. Once you do that, you can use Google's mobile friendly testing tools to check your website.
You can use Google's Mobile SEO guidelines to help you along your way.
App content in search results
Recently, Google Search also began to use information from indexed apps as a factor in ranking search results displayed to signed-in users who have the app installed. As a result, Google Search may now show content from indexed apps more prominently in search.
If you have a mobile app, learn more about App Indexing, and allow Google Search to show this information in search results.
Good luck (:
