Site Names Are Coming to Mobile Search
Oct 25, 2022
iCrowdMarketing powered by iCrowdNewswire
As mobile search continues to grow, so does the amount of information that users can access from their smartphones. That means Google’s search algorithm needs to keep up with this shift in user behavior, which is why we've recently seen some changes in how mobile-friendly websites appear on mobile SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages).
Google Search is now introducing site names on mobile search results. This will make it easier for users to identify the website associated with each result.
This new development will change how businesses and digital marketers approach search engine optimization, content marketing, and guest post services.
What Exactly Does This Mean for You?
Google has introduced a number of redesigns in the past few years aimed at improving the user experience on the search engine. The latest revamp will make mobile search results resemble the Google News tab, with the site name and larger favicon showing with each result.
Here’s what you should know about the latest changes to Google Search:
- Availability: Site names will be available in English, German, French, and Japanese, with Google working to roll out additional languages.
- Controlling Site Names: Websites will use the structured data on their home page to communicate to Google what the site name should be for the site. Google also has a variety of other ways to identify the site name for a search result.
- Favicon Upgrade: Google also recommends getting updated on the latest favicon best practices. The favicon should be an icon that's at least 48px.
- Google Ads: The changes will also apply to site names. Besides the site name and favicon, the “sponsored” label will also be more prominent.
According to Google, the changes are to help provide users with more information about websites so they can feel confident about the websites they visit.
What Exactly Does This Mean For You?
It’s expected that site names will start appearing in mobile SERPs. In other words, the website name will also appear alongside the company’s URL instead of just the website URL appearing on the results pages.
Google is going to display site names in the mobile SERPs. They’ll do that by displaying a site name for each result rather than just the first one. Which means, if you have 100+ pages on your website and hundreds of pages on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, Google will still show a site name in each result.
The previous format only showed the page title and a snippet of the content.
The new format will also make it easier for users to tell if two separate search results are coming from the same source.
This may change how users click on search engine results and click-through rates. It’s important to make the necessary changes and monitor your click-through rate in Google Search Console in the coming months to identify areas for improvement.
How Should You Prepare For Site Names Coming to Mobile Search?
First, create a favicon. Favicons are the little icons that appear in your browser's toolbar and can be used to help you identify the site you're visiting. If your site doesn't have a favicon, make sure to add one.
Use a mobile-friendly theme. Your website needs to look good on all devices, especially phones since they're so widely used these days.
Many people prefer using their phones over computers because they're more convenient. But even if you don't see yourself using your phone as much as possible (or ever), it's important that your website still looks great when viewed on smaller screens.
Final Thoughts on Site Names For Mobile Search
A number of changes are coming to mobile search, and they're all related to user experience. Site names are a big change that you want to be prepared for.
It’s important that you understand how sites will display in Google and what this means for your SEO strategy. The last thing you want is to get blindsided when Google rolls out the new feature to all users.