Google Mobile Ranking Change Coming April 21st

We advised of a new ranking change likely coming relating to how mobile friendly your site is.  It was later intimated that this change would take place April 21st.  Well, this change is no longer likely, and the date it will happen is no longer questionable.  Mark your calendars and be prepared.

When directly asked at last week’s SMX West if this new ranking factor would go live on the 21st or if there is wiggle room, Google’s Gary Illyes simply stated, “I will say April 21st is a very important day.”  Google NEVER let’s you know when a change is coming.  This change seems to be a huge one.  In reply to whether there is a cut off date for when sites need to be mobile ready, Illyes again simply stated, “have them ready by the 21st and it will be good.”  He also let the cat out of the bag that Google is currently working on a completely separate mobile index!

April 21st is just a little over a month away.  Is your site ready?  If you don’t have a mobile site, a mobile responsive site, or a mobile plugin in place you better reach out to your web developer ASAP.   Chances are a good portion of your visitors come from mobile devices.  You don’t want to lose that traffic.