Every time the Google search engine algorithms are changed, digital marketers have to pause what they’ve been doing so that they can fully grasp what’s changed. Some people go into full panic mode until they unearth all of the recent changes to how the search engine works. After all, failing to keep up with these periodic changes can easily result in lost traffic!
Online retail giant Overstock.com provides a clear example of what can happen when a company doesn’t respond to Google search engine updates. Google tweaked its algorithms in the spring of 2015, and Overstock’s marketing department failed to update their marketing materials in response to those updates. By some measures, Overstock’s visibility dropped by as much as 35% that May. In return, their stock price declined 18% due to reduced profits.
If the Google search engine algorithm updates can have such a tremendous impact on a billion dollar company like Overstock.com, then your company is certainly also vulnerable. Keep reading to learn about some of the most recent Google search engine updates and make sure your website is keeping up.
Google Mobile First Update Coming Soon
Mobile searches are rapidly overtaking computer-based search engine usage. In response, Google is working hard to make sure that digital marketers are taking steps to provide a great mobile experience for an ever-changing consumer base.
In April 2015, Google released an update that boosted rankings for websites that were optimized for mobile users. Websites that were not set up for mobile devices were subsequently penalized. Google helpfully released a mobile-friendliness testing tool that allows you to quickly see how mobile-friendly your website is.
Many are expecting 2018 to be the year that Google rolls out its mobile first index. The experts are predicting that upwards of 80% of global searches will come from mobile devices by the end of 2018. With this in mind, small business owners should be ensuring their site doesn’t fall prey to a ranking drop due to a poor mobile experience. Google will soon rank sites according to how well they perform on mobile phones.
Google Confirms mid-December Search Ranking Algorithm Updates
Several search experts are reporting major fluctuations in ranking data during mid-December of 2017. Most of the sites adversely affected are those with no Schema.org markup and those performing poorly on mobile devices.
Using schema markup is critical for improving rankings and click through rates in the search results.
What next?
A new Google update is certainly cause for concern, but there is no need to panic. The creation of awesome websites that are lightening fast, secure, mobile responsive, content-rich, and easy to navigate, will prevail in the search results. But if you find that you are not confident in your ability to address these updates or others, call PersistSEO for expert assistance at 770.580.3736.