Google To White Label Optimised Sites Within Search Listings

Google is working to improve the overall mobile experience by labeling sites optimized for mobile device usage in their mobile search results. 

This change will be rolling out globally over the next few weeks. Using Googlebot technology, sites will be scanned and measured across a number of factors. A page is eligible for the “mobile-friendly” label if it meets the following criteria as detected by Googlebot:

• Avoids software that is not common on mobile devices, like Flash
• Uses text that is readable without zooming
• Sizes content to the screen so users don't have to scroll horizontally or zoom
• Places links far enough apart so that the correct one can be easily tapped

Sites matching the criteria will be labeled “mobile friendly.” Importantly for advertisers, Google are evaluating using “mobile-friendliness” as a signal for search ranking results.

Implications:
There is nothing more frustrating than trying to access a site on your phone and to have swipe and zoom in order to read the content you have been searching for. This move by Google should provide mobile search users with a better overall experience, and it will be interesting to see what impact the “mobile-friendly” label will have on site visitations. Similarly, the potential influence on mobilefriendliness on search rankings would see many advertisers place a greater importance on their owned assets and consumer experiences.