With just one week to go until Google’s mobile algorithm is unleashed on the world on April 21st, we’re learning more about what will and will not be affected.
Not every aspect of mobile search results will be affected by Google’s mobile algorithm — in fact, its focus is relatively narrow compared to other Google algorithms.
Only Google’s organic mobile search listings, aka the “10 blue links”, will be affected. Google’s Gary Illyes recently confirmed this on Twitter in an effort to clarify some statements he made at a conference.
The SEM Post reports that Illyes stated websites ranking in Google’s local pack will not be impacted by the mobile friendly algorithm, even if they do not have mobile friendly websites.
Illyes responded says that’s true, and that only the 10 blue links will be affected:
@jenstar yep, just the "10 blue links" are, but of course teams who own the other features may also use mobile friendliness on their own
— Gary Illyes (@methode) April 10, 2015
This news no doubt comes as a relief to local business owners whose sites are not yet prepared for mobilegeddon. This is almost like a stay of execution, so to speak, as non-mobile friendly sites can still rank in mobile search via the local pack.
In addition, it was revealed in a Google+ Hangout last month that Google News would not be affected by the mobile-friendly algorithm update
If only the 10 blue links are affected, it may be safe to assume that image and video search rankings will not be impacted either, but that has yet to be confirmed.
Soon enough we’ll all know exactly what is and is not impacted by Google’s mobile friendly algorithm when it drops one week from now.
