Google search data shows that most users on the web use mobile devices instead of computers. The company confirms that mobile-first indexing goes live soon.
After a long testing period, the search company notes that search results will soon change based on its new process. Sources pointed out that the developers conducted trials back in November 2016.
Industry experts agree that desktop usage is not expected to die out anytime soon. However, a significant amount of people opt to access the internet via smartphones and other portable devices.
What Does It Mean For Users?
The changes implemented are noticeably aimed to give users the best possible experience when they are online. It means that once someone performs a search, websites that are ideally configured for mobile devices will come up first in the results.
Unlike desktop versions of the pages, which sometimes do not display properly on smartphones or tablets, the developer ensures that the relevant results are optimized for portable devices. However, in some cases in which the only appropriate link is for a desktop version, the new algorithm will still suggest the most significant content instead.
Making The Move
Some webmasters reveal that Google started its campaign to move some pages to its mobile-first indexing system last year. The company likewise elaborates that it does not mean users will see two search results for the same website. Instead, it will prioritize the mobile-friendly version over its regular desktop build during searches.
The firm assures everyone that the changes will not affect content ranking directly, but pages configured properly to support mobile devices will be prioritized in results generated from searches done on portable platforms.
"Mobile-first indexing is about how we gather content, not about how content is ranked. Content gathered by mobile-first indexing has no ranking advantage over mobile content that's not yet gathered this way or desktop content. Moreover, if you only have a desktop, you will continue to be represented in our index," wrote Google.
Shifting To Mobile
Google's decision to go with its mobile-first indexing might immediately seem daunting for webmasters. Yet, it could be a great way to tell web developers to take advantage of the most popular platform used by users.
The detailed road map as to when the new system will completely take effect is yet to be listed by the company.
The move to mobile-friendly content was showcased by the search firm when it upgraded its platform to encourage travel. Last month, the developers made some changes that supposedly make it easier for users to make travel arrangements on portable devices. Useful and relevant tabs are now available for hotel and flight reservations.
