Google is the leading online search engine and understanding how it works can drastically improve your business. This article will help you understand how Google works and how it’s affecting your business.

All About the Mobile First Web

Google has become all about the mobile first web. What exactly that means is that we should be designing our websites and online presence with mobile viewers in mind. Around a month ago, Google released an official announcement that you could be penalized if your website is not optimized for mobile.

Think that’s drastic? Consider this. There are five times the number of smartphones as laptops or desktops in the world. Mobile devices account for over half of the internet usage in the U.S. and users spend 60% of their time on a mobile device rather than a desktop or laptop. 70% of mobile searches convert to actions on a website. 61% of the population expressed that their view of a brand with a mobile site was better than a brand without a mobile optimized site. Websites that were optimized for mobile increased sales by 62%. 40% of mobile searchers have the intention to purchase within their local region. 70% of mobile users will delete an email that doesn’t show well on mobile devices without even reading the email. (source: www.cmdagency.com)

So, yes that might be drastic. But Google’s purpose is not to benefit the businesses online, but the user. These statistics show us the users want mobile responsive. And Google intends to deliver.

Location, Location, Location

We have all been told how important location is to a business, but how important could it be to the online world? The answer is incredibly important. The most sought after information on the web by local searchers is the location, address, and phone number of a business. 50% of mobile searches will visit a brick and mortar store within one day of visiting their online site, meaning when people search on their mobile devices, their intent to purchase is high. Is your business listed on Google My Business? These statistics show that local listings have a direct impact on stores. (source: Search Engine Land)

Google’s Autocomplete

We can all remember a time we were typing something into the search bar and got distracted by a list of Google’s autocomplete suggestions. So how does Google come up with their suggestions or predictions? It’s all based on how the keyword you’re entering has been previously search for and then Google will predict, based on what’s popular, what you are likely looking for. Language and location both play a very important role in what Google will predict. Then Google ranks those suggestions. They will include a prior search you’ve inputted first even if that search topic isn’t the most popular or highest ranking. So it will basically customize your search predictions. Now that’s pretty cool. Google is also trying to prevent Google searches that imply hate or violence. While this system is not perfect Google will not auto predict hate or violence related info that pertains to race, color, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and more.

There is still much to be learned about the world of Google, but one thing we can be sure of, they are looking out for the interest of the person using Google. In order to compete with other businesses in our industry, we must understand and conform to their standards.

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