All studies indicate the exponential upward trend on the uses of SmartPhones to access the Internet and it is confirmed by one of the most recent ones made in 2019 by IAB Mexico in which we are shown that access by these devices – their mobility is a fundamental factor – already reach 90%, even going beyond computers.
This obviously puts us on alert not only to seek that our sites are responsive in order to adapt them to all devices but also and not least, to work in SEO to ensure indexing and improve the ranking of websites in searches performed on mobile devices.
SEO on mobile vs. SEO on websites: similarities and differences
Similarities
If we set SEO parameters that we usually work which is that of websites, and SEO on mobile – SmartPhones and Tablets – we conclude just, they have similar approaches, and the objectives are usually the same.
Differences
By implementing SEO strategies of our sites, you generally focus on the web in general: the general public. We optimize for particular keywords, but there is no geographic approach.
Mobile Seo is Opposite
We usually focus it on geographic searches, as mobile searches are eminently local. Google knows the location of internet users when searching with mobile devices and guides them at the right time where to find what they’re looking for at certain distances around. If you’re seeing Siri, for a gas station, for example, it’ll propose the nearest locations you’re from.
What is mobile SEO and what is its importance?
Many factors influence mobile SEO. We’ve already mentioned responsive sites, but also include settings in pages’ HTML, CSS, and JavaScript codes, up to new parameters in content planning and production. Mobile SEO proposes a real “redesign” on sites that need to adapt to the new pattern of behavior of Internet users.
In the past, Google’s index was based on searches performed on websites through computers. If you searched on a mobile device, the results were based on what Google indexed from desktop versions of websites.
Changes in Seo
Now, Google has switched to a mobile index first, which means that robots are indexing mobile versions of websites. When you search for a laptop or desktop, the results are based on Google’s mobile index.
That’s why mobile SEO has become a vital strategy for the success of your online strategies.
Two factors consider improving mobile SEO –
Site usability
In preparation for the change of algorithm, it became clear that site speed and usability would be factors for and against the mobile compatibility of a website. They can test the speed of their page and mobile compatibility with these Google tools:
https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights
https://search.google.com/test/mobile-friendly
It’s important to run these tests to check the quality of experience the mobile user experiences on your website.
Website design for mobile SEO
As we mentioned, SmartPhones and Tablets are bringing about radical changes in the way we design a website. We used to design the website and adapt to the mobile versions. Today is the other way around, we consider mobile-first and adapt to the web.
- The first thing about Web Designing is to have a site with Responsive Design. If you don’t have it the next steps will be of little use.
- In no case use Flash: it is no longer available on almost any device. Instead, use HTML 5.
- Avoid pop-ups: they don’t adapt well on mobile devices.
- We need to check the design with Google tools and stick to their rules to avoid being penalized if the elements are too big, too small, too close together, etc.
- Optimize page titles and meta descriptions.
- Finally, and while it may seem obvious, it is that we should consider that the user has less visual and reading physical space when searching with mobile devices. We should keep this in mind when implementing our mobile SEO strategy. The best practice, in this case, is to be as concise as possible without sacrificing important information.
Conclusion
Since we noticed user trends in mobile app usage, SEO management professionals have looked for actions for the best performance and website browsing on mobile devices. But since 2019 many things have changed in that sense: Google began prioritizing mobile interfaces in its indexing (Google Mobile-First Index), and these improvements have become a rule in the market.
Day after day, desktop computers are being relegated to student and professional tasks, while smartphones are gaining more and more space in people’s daily routines. They have become an essential element of our own being.
