AMP is not a Ranking Factor, According to Google
With the release of AMP, a lot of you are wondering whether it’s included as a ranking factor when Google analyzes the importance of your website. When John Mueller was asked if it’s a ranking factor, John said that it’s not yet a factor at the moment. This means that it will be in a few months from now.
They keyword here is “at the moment.” AMP is one way to make your site a mobile-friendly page. More and more websites are implementing Accelerated Mobile Pages. Thus, it wouldn’t be a surprise if it becomes widely adopted. If it would, it might be a part of Google’s mobile-friendliness algorithm.
Mobile Update of Google
In 2015, Google rolled out its mobile rankings algorithm that considered several ranking factors to rank a site’s mobile-friendliness. Since AMP is only for mobile devices, it may be included in Google’s next mobile rankings algorithm.
Remember that Google favors websites that load faster. Since the AMP is coded for faster loading, it may prefer webpages with AMP HTML to display on the top of its search engine results.
Should you join the bandwagon?
Although Google is saying that it’s not yet a ranking factor, you must consider hopping on the bandwagon. Keep in mind that there’s an increasing number of searches being conducted on mobile devices. In fact, they surpassed desktop searches. With smartphone and other mobile devices getting more popular, the trend will continue.
Even if AMP may be included as a ranking factor in the future, you must still not focus on it. However, you must still think before you create AMP pages. Currently, it benefits mostly publishers. Thus, if publishing content isn’t a part of your general business plan, then you don’t have to worry about it. Don’t push forward yet. Then again, if your users are visiting your site because of the content of your site, then AMP might be something that you might want to consider soon.
Currently, the AMP is an open source project of Google. It’s been designed to make mobile searching faster. In this way, users can quickly access content on their websites. When you do use AMP, your analytical data are intact. And your ads will remain. By creating AMP pages, you’re following Google’s obsession in providing users with fast loading pages.
Speed is a critical factor in competing effectively with other website owners. Ask an SEO expert to know how you can implement AMP to your own webpages.
