(MKTG 348) Week 6 - SEO and Mobile Content

The article "Mobile Devices Upend Google Search" by Alistair Barr discusses some interesting points regarding the use of mobile content and how it can effect search engine optimization. One major change the author shares with readers is that SEO is no longer about using a million keywords to improve ranking. Now SEO is reliant on content that is not only relevant and consistent but also mobile friendly. With this being said, it is important to keep in mind that if you want better ranking on Google you need to focus on and consistently update your websites mobile content.

The article provides some insight into how the search world has changed since the use of mobile devices. Originally when you searched something it would be in a search engine and then that search engine would give you results based on your keywords. Now a search can come from a spoken command or a typed sentence. The results have also changed due to mobile devices. Now a result can take you to a website, app, email, or calendar event.

It is not as easy for Google to search through Apps as it is for Google to search through a webpage. Due to this difficulty, Google has needed the help of app developers in searching and reading the apps. Some apps like Amazon and Netflix don't actually let Google see their apps. All of these complications have ended up requiring Google to rank apps based on number of users and average use time on app.

Retailers are becoming more focused on product shopping ads on smartphones because Google usually leaves those ads at the top of the screen. "Digital-marketing agency Merkle Inc. estimates product ads generate 5% to 15% of Google’s annual revenue, or as much as $11.2 billion last year (Barr)." As you can see companies are spending a lot of money on this type of advertising. It seems that the more successfulyou want to be with Google the more money you have to spend.

Reference: Barr, Alistair. "Mobile Devices Upend Google Search." The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, Inc., 25 Feb. 2016. Web. Mar. 2016. <http://www.wsj.com/articles/mobile-devices-upend-google-search-1456396202>.