In the latest Google update, Google will penalize websites that show pop-up mobile ads asking users to install an app.
Do you easily get annoyed when you are viewing a website on your mobile device or tablet and the screen then becomes blocked by an app install download? The website tries to force you to download their app so you can view their content. Well don’t worry, Google was also annoyed by this and has decided to do something about it.
Google made an announcement on Wednesday in which they stated that they would start penalizing the rankings on the search engine results page (SERP) for websites that have pop-up mobile ads, which ask users to install an app. This move by Google could have major impacts on advertisers.
Google stated on their Webmaster Central Blog that app install ads are a big no in their book because they block a large amount of content from the user trying to access the page and then prompts them to install their app instead. Google states that when you are searching on a mobile device, whether the answer you are looking for lives on the app or on a web page, you deserve the most relevant answers in the easiest fashion.
Starting September 1st, 2015, Google has updated their Mobile-Friendly test that will tell webmasters if their site will be affected by this algorithm change. The Mobile Usability report located in the Search Console will also tell webmasters the amount of pages that have an issue on their site. Google is giving webmasters about two months to get all of the app install interstitials taken care of and switch over to banner ads.
Come November 1st, 2015, any site that requires a user to download their app in order to view their content on mobile devices will no longer be considered mobile friendly. Instead of prompting users to install the interstitials, Google is suggesting that using app install banners are a less intrusive way to have people download the app and Google would prefer websites do this.
When it comes to app install banners, they are supported by Safari, also known as Smart Banners, and by Chrome, which refers to them as Native App Install Banners. Both of these banner types provide the user with better functionality and allows them more control with their browsing experience. As long as they don’t block users from viewing content on a page, webmasters can also use their own versions of app install banners, Google says.
Here at Kraus Marketing, we are always staying up to date on the latest algorithm changes that Google makes. The point of these changes is to help increase the user experience and lower bounce rate on websites. We also focus on search engine optimization (SEO) to help you rank higher on the search engine results page through organic search.
To learn more about how Kraus Marketing can help your website achieve higher organic search results, contact us at (973) 998-5742 or online at www.KrausMarketing.com.