Google Expands AMP In Search Results: What’s In It For SEO?

Accelerated Mobile Pages or commonly known as AMP are now expanding to more organic search results. This idea might not mean so much to you (at least for now). However, it is noteworthy that it’s a significant step forward as to how Google tend to handle user’s mobile experience.

We all know that Google always favored optimal mobile traffic. This is evident with its launching of Mobilegeddon update last year to appreciate and reward sites that offer users friendly mobile experience. But, the expanded rollout of AMP now could be a lot bigger.

So what the change will be? What’s in it for SEO?

To date, there are over 150 million sites that have already adapted to AMP updates. Until recently, however, this AMP feature was seen to be only available on articles and site pages in the “Zenith Stories.” Now, Google is already rolling out AMP pages on its entire mobile organic SERPs.

This update seeks to aid users get the most relevant content for their queries; if in times they are in haste and the pages they are finding isn’t loading fast, such gray logo may point them in a more upscale direction.

There is no exact date as to how the full rollout will unfold. But for now, Google is gathering information from developers, testers or even on ordinary users to enable them to display perfect search results.

Is It Going To Affect Your Search Rankings?

Google has always favored sites the provide best user experience, most notably on mobile devices. Thinking that AMP is designed for the sake of mobile users, it will be closely-valid to conclude that AMP-enabled pages will be a crucial ranking factor, especially on mobile devices. However, Google mentioned that AMP designation is not a ranking signal; this means that your site won’t be getting an SEO reward from having it in the light of AMP, nor it will be penalized for not being one.

Never expect this to be the case for a long time as AMP is a feature that Google is still learning about. Don’t be surprise that if AMP will be popularly accepted and get more refined, Google will eventually turn this into some level of a ranking signal. To get ahead, you can go to marketing agencies such as WebpageFX, Digital Current, or Sortlist to help you in providing the best user experience for your visitors.

Should You Adopt AMP?

Now, if you can’t obtain any SEO benefit for plunging into AMP, what’s the point of having one in the first place?

Take note, the advantage you get boils down to having a site that offers impressive mobile user-experience. Know that site speed is a crucial aspect of your visitors’ engagement with your site. And, AMP is your best tool to achieve such. With the fact that Google is becoming more comfortable with the format, it is indubitable that AMP will grow more in the near future.

Final Thoughts

We can only surmise about Google’s long-term plan for AMP. But, it’s crystal clear that the company is somber about offering mobile users the best online experience. If AMP goes further, it will develop into new forms and possibly serve a ranking factor for websites.