Updated 09:51 PM EDT, Thu, Mar 28, 2024

Google to Punish Sites with App Install Ads

  • +
  • -
  • Sign up to receive the lastest news from LATINONE

Mobile-friendly websites make it easier for mobile users to read or browse, but some are quite annoying because of the full-page app install ads that pop up. Google is now planning to punish such sites by downranking them on mobile search results.

Google will still be giving these websites an ample amount of time to remove their app install ads from their mobile websites, according to Tech Crunch.  In fact, the search engine giant will only start downranking the sites on November 1, which is enough time to simply disable the ads.

This doesn't mean that websites cannot put ads that offer the installation of their apps. Google will not be punishing those that use the standard smaller app install banners, the kind that you can simply dismiss and is not distracting from the content of the website. Tech Crunch also reported that these smaller ads on Chrome and Safari will not merit a downrank.

App install ads are not only distracting, but they can also be data wasters. Not all mobile users are connected to a Wi-Fi connection. Some use mobile data connections, which are charged based on the data consumed by the user. It might not seem much, seeing as it's only an image and a link, but the cost can pile up. Also, it prevents the user from quickly searching for facts and information. Some data plans are time-based. Users can also accidentally tap the ad instead of the close button, The Verge reported.

Google has been pushing websites to become more mobile-friendly. Earlier this year, the search engine giant announced that it would give ranking priority for such websites, according to SearchEngineLand. It even released a Mobile-Friendly Test which checks if a site can be viewed or navigated properly even through a mobile device such as a smartphone or a tablet. More users are now using their mobile devices to browse the web instead of desktop or laptop computers.

What does this mean for specialized service websites? Sites such as LinkedIn and OpenTable and LinkedIn are not expected to feel the punishing force or Google, WIRED reported. These sites are visited because of the service they provide, and not because they just show up on search results.

However, sites that do rely on search results for their traffic will need to comply with Google's rules. This may mean that search engine optimized websites may not excel as much if they still have the app install ads by November.

© 2015 Latin One. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
  • Sign up to receive the lastest news from LATINONE
Close

Curiosidades

Real Time Analytics