Ranking Changes for Non-"Mobile-Friendly" Sites

[MIREGMGR]

As of today, the main directory page appears to fail the Google mobile-friendly test.

Per this page, rankings will change April 21, 2015 to downgrade non-mobile-friendly sites, if there are mobile-friendly results that can be elevated.

It used to be that content was king at Google. Now that 60% of their overall traffic comes from mobile, they also are going to emphasize the mobile experience.

Will this matter to Elsmar?

This Google page addresses mobile-friendliness for vBulletin.

 

[Marc]

That is for vB 5. This forum is on vB 3.8 which EOLed 4 or 5 (6?) years ago.

Best I can say is use Tapatalk.

I won't discuss why and details but Elsmar will be going "dark" soon anyway. It's been a good run for 19+ years. The days of small forums are ending.

 

[Marc]

Oh, and by the way - The best info is here: http://searchengineland.com/

 

[PaulJSmith]

I won't discuss why and details but Elsmar will be going "dark" soon anyway. It's been a good run for 19+ years. The days of small forums are ending.

[pushing the "Dislike" button vehemently]

 

[Marc]

Well, never say never. But it doesn't look good right now. I can't explain everything that is happening here.

Should things go well:

Dear Forum Owners,

Google Search Results On Android

On 16, April, 2015, Google announced that they may prompt users to install mobile apps that feature content relevant to their search query. You can find the Google Webmaster Post here: http://email.tapatalk.com/c/Yz1mN3Z...h0bWwmcj1tYXJjc21pdGgxMDIlNDBjaW5jaS5yci5jb20

This only impacts searches on Android, but Rajan Patel, a Google principal engineer on the team responsible for this project, was quoted as saying his team is looking at how it can grow this project beyond Android

When content from your site is relevant to a search done on Google on Android devices, people may start to see app install buttons for Tapatalk in search results. Tapping these buttons will take them to the Google Play store where they can install Tapatalk, then continue straight on to the right content within Tapatalk.

Here is a gif from the Google post that demonstrates how the search results and app install prompt will appear.

What does this mean for Sites in Tapatalk?

The good news is that your content is indexed by Google in Tapatalk, and according to Google, ″we [Google] are starting to use App Indexing as a ranking signal for all users on Android.″ Google said, ″with the addition of these install links, we are starting to use App Indexing as a ranking signal for all users on Android, regardless of whether they have an app [Tapatalk] installed or not.″ This means your content is being ranked higher because your content is in Tapatalk.

While some searchers will opt to install Tapatalk to view the content, many will continue to view the content on their mobile browser. As a result of of your content in Tapatalk, you benefit from the higher search rankings. Additionally, if a searcher does opt to view the content on Tapatalk, those impressions will generate you ad revenue from Tapatalk.

The great content in forums has also indexed well in Google, and having your great content indexed in Tapatalk will now give those rankings an additional boost in mobile search.


Thank you,
The Tapatalk Team

 

[Eredhel]

I hope you are able to explore options outside of just shutting this forum down. This is definitely a valuable tool that is still used.

 

[Marc]

Right now I just don't know what will happen.

In reply to MIREGMGR's starting post, I got this from Google today via email:

Webmaster Tools
Your app in Google's Search results: this week's stats on clicks and impressions

To: webmaster of http://elsmar.com/

Now that you've implemented App Indexing, we thought you might be interested in how your app's doing in Google's search results. As of 2015-04-20, we've discovered 79,748 app pages in total, of which 4,442 pages have been indexed so far.

 

[Marc]

I should have said "may", not "will"

<snip> I won't discuss why and details but Elsmar will be going "dark" soon anyway. <snip>

It has been hard to make financial ends meet with all the expenses, but I should have said "may" instead of "will". Don't lose faith. An email I received today has made me more determined than ever to make it to the "20 Years Continuously Online" mark next January.

I DO need your help, though! Please, when someone asks a question you can help with, take a few minutes and help with a reply. Elsmar is, and always has been, "People Helping People".

 

[Ronen E]

Re: I should have said "may", not "will"

It has been hard to make financial ends meet with all the expenses, but I should have said "may" instead of "will". Don't lose faith. An email I received today has made me more determined than ever to make it to the "20 Years Continuously Online" mark next January.

I DO need your help, though! Please, when someone asks a question you can help with, take a few minutes and help with a reply. Elsmar is, and always has been, "People Helping People".

Great news, Marc!

I know you won't ask for it, so I will: If anyone out there has received significant help here and is able, please consider contributing some $$$ back to Elsmar (Who isn't able...? It can be almost as little as you wish.)

 

[Marc]

This is being discussed right now. Back about 1 to 2 years ago mobile users were about 1% of all visitors to Elsmar. Recent stats show about 10% so... FWIW - Google's "webmaster tools" is showing most are from Asia with some from the EU/UK. Not so many US mobile visitors. Personally I never use a mobile device to visit a website like Elsmar.