As web-enabled mobile devices continue to grow in the market, and become easier to use, mobile search remains a key growth area. Mobile searches tend to be different from desktop searches. They are more navigational in nature (users tend to know where they want to end up), and users are often looking for concise, actionable answers.
Mobile search input can also be different from desktop search. As well as typing in search keywords, mobile users can search by voice, or by using images or scanning barcodes.
As with mobile web development, mobile SEO is a little different from desktop SEO, although the fundamental principles remain the same. Build usable and accessible sites with great content, and you’ve already come a long way.
Where there are differences in approach for mobile SEO, these are largely because:
• Search engines have the ability to deliver precise location-based results to mobile users.
• Usability is critical in sites for mobile devices.
• Search engines have less data to work with (compared to traditional web) in terms of site history, traffic, and inbound links.
The fundamentals of mobile SEO are not so different to those of desktop SEO.
1. A usable, crawlable site is very important.
Build mobile versions of your website that cater for mobile users: simple navigation and content stripped down to only what is required.
2. Content is important, and should be formatted for mobile usage.
Text and images should be optimised for the mobile experience – so no large file sizes! The meta data still matters: titles and descriptions are what users see in the SERPs.
3. Links are important.
You should link to your mobile site from your desktop site and vice versa. Submit your mobile site to relevant mobile directories.
4. Submit a mobile XML sitemap.
Mobile-specific sitemaps use the same protocols as standard XML sitemaps, with the addition of a mobile tag.
5. Use the word ‘mobile’ on the mobile website, or use mobile top-level domains.
Make it explicit to search engines that this is the mobile version of your website, and they are more likely to prioritise it as such.
Mobile search input can also be different from desktop search. As well as typing in search keywords, mobile users can search by voice, or by using images or scanning barcodes.
As with mobile web development, mobile SEO is a little different from desktop SEO, although the fundamental principles remain the same. Build usable and accessible sites with great content, and you’ve already come a long way.
Where there are differences in approach for mobile SEO, these are largely because:
• Search engines have the ability to deliver precise location-based results to mobile users.
• Usability is critical in sites for mobile devices.
• Search engines have less data to work with (compared to traditional web) in terms of site history, traffic, and inbound links.
The fundamentals of mobile SEO are not so different to those of desktop SEO.
1. A usable, crawlable site is very important.
Build mobile versions of your website that cater for mobile users: simple navigation and content stripped down to only what is required.
2. Content is important, and should be formatted for mobile usage.
Text and images should be optimised for the mobile experience – so no large file sizes! The meta data still matters: titles and descriptions are what users see in the SERPs.
3. Links are important.
You should link to your mobile site from your desktop site and vice versa. Submit your mobile site to relevant mobile directories.
4. Submit a mobile XML sitemap.
Mobile-specific sitemaps use the same protocols as standard XML sitemaps, with the addition of a mobile tag.
5. Use the word ‘mobile’ on the mobile website, or use mobile top-level domains.
Make it explicit to search engines that this is the mobile version of your website, and they are more likely to prioritise it as such.
