Mobile-Friendly Warning

Updated January 13, 2023

Mass Notifications Issued

Talk about good timing. Yesterday we shared our tips about choosing a WordPress theme and why mobile responsive is a must-have, especially as we begin 2015. If your website or blog doesn’t play nice with mobile devices, check your Webmaster Tools for a nasty-gram. In this post, I’ll recap the latest mobile-friendly warning and why this is big SEO news.

We Told You So

We’ve been touting mobile-friendly websites for at least two years. In 2014, Matt Cutts spoke at SMX West; he thought mobile search would exceed desktop queries that year. According to Search Engine Watch, that milestone actually occurred.

Check Your Webmaster Messages

Apparently Google is sending mass notifications via emails and Webmaster Tools warning sites. Yikes, I’d hate to have that message in my inbox. Webmasters are warned to fix mobile usability errors on specific pages. Buckle up, there are more changes ahead.

Mobile-Friendly Warning & SEO Implications

According to Search Engine Land, these warning messages are the precursor to a new mobile ranking algorithm that’s about to launch. Mobile friendliness has serious SEO implications, especially for organic search results displayed on the small screen. I wouldn’t be surprised if non-mobile search will also be affected.

Why?

If a website isn’t mobile-friendly, it sends a clear signal that the business isn’t paying attention to user trends and preferences. By not adjusting, the overall user experience deteriorates while other sites offer a better and more positive interaction. The Web is fluid, change occurs frequently and quickly. Adaptation is the price you have to pay.

Testing Tool Available

Does your website or blog pass or fail the mobile-friendly test? You can easily find out by using this tool launched last November by Google; results are either Awesome! or Not Mobile Friendly.

What’s your score?

photo credit – top: Raymond McCrae