Apps in Google mobile search algorithm change

[EditorialGuy]

A lot of people are talking about the fact that Google will be using "mobile-friendliness" as a ranking signal for mobile search after April 21.

Oddly enough, there's been very little chatter about the second part of Google's announcement of February 26:

"Starting today, we will begin to use information from indexed apps as a factor in ranking for signed-in users who have the app installed. As a result, we may now surface content from indexed apps more prominently in search."

This change apparently hasn't had much impact yet (if it had, we'd have heard about it), but down the line? Who knows? If you're going after Google mobile-search traffic, should you be pushing free apps to increase your presence in Google mobile search?

[nomis5]

You're probably correct. The effect though would be minimal though I think.

You'd need to have a searcher who already had your app on their computer for anything to be triggered. That would rarely be the case or have I misunderstood? Still worthwhile pursuing.

[EditorialGuy]

I can see this being interesting for, say, local sites (news, reviews, events listings, etc.) that want to encourage repeat visitors.

Maybe local "doorway apps" will be the new bookmarks. :-)

[lucy24]

information from indexed apps

That is very, very creepy. I was looking into the developer program recently (iBlahblah, not android), and I'm ### if I can find a way to release even a free app without coughing up an annual fee. So wouldn't that be functionally equivalent to paying for inclusion in search results?

How does Google know which apps you've got?

[frankleeceo]

Wow, is this why some of the major retailers have been pushing their "free" app that give away coupons?

I thought it was interesting for Wal-mart to push their price rollback apps on TV and target really pushing their apps in store.

[EditorialGuy]

I thought it was interesting for Wal-mart to push their price rollback apps on TV and target really pushing their apps in store.

I suspect that says more about the ubiquity of cell phones than it does about the future indexing of app content in Google mobile search. (Next up: Commercials on smart watches that yell "Hey, you, check out the Blue Light Special in Aisle 4!" as the customer shops for diapers.)

[toidi]

I thought it was interesting for Wal-mart to push their price rollback apps on TV and target really pushing their apps in store. 

This might have more to do with the distrust the goog is creating. Walmart has opted out of local ads. I hope i am allowed to post this link.

[wsj.com...]

[netmeg]

How does Google know which apps you've got?

That's what I was wondering. If I had Android, I could see it, but how do they know what I've got on my iPhone? Or my mom's Windows Phone?

[EditorialGuy]

How does Google know which apps you've got?

Dunno, but the answer is probably in here, at least for Android apps:

[developers.google.com...]