Google’s New Mobile Friendly Test Tool

Google is changing the mobile SEO game once again by introducing a new tool to make site the most readable they can be when it comes to being able to view on a mobile device.

The tool simply asks the following: is your site mobile-friendly? By putting your site to the test, the tool determines whether sites are eligible for Google’s new mobile-friendly labels or are prepared enough for a mobile-friendly ranking boost.

According to Google, four criteria make a website mobile-friendly; 1) Avoids software that is not common on mobile devices, ex. Flash; 2) uses text that is readable without zooming 3) sizes content to the screen so users don’t have to scroll horizontally or zoom; 3) places link far enough apart so that correct one can be easily tapped.

Once the test is given and determined, Google might be able to help in giving you advice on how to make your mobile experience better. For example, it will list potential problems that your site has, which gives webmasters and marketers the knowledge to use to redevelop the site to gain a positive mobile friendly rating.

The tool isn’t necessarily altruistic. Mobile optimized sites (or the lack thereof) impact search rankings on Google when someone performs a search. For Google, less results means less revenue, likely why they are introducing this new tool—but this is also the case for businesses, since searchers are more likely to click on those results that will display properly on a mobile device.

The change is set to roll out globally over the next few weeks, giving webmasters the time to update and modify their sites accordingly.