Google Formula Will Prioritize Mobile Friendly Sites for Smartphones

San Francisco, CA, April 20, 2015—Google is changing the way its search engine recommends websites on smartphones in a shift that's expected to sway where millions of people shop, eat and find information, reports the Huffington Post.

The revised formula, scheduled to be released tomorrow, will favor websites that Google defines as "mobile-friendly." Websites that don't fit the description will be demoted in Google's search results on smartphones, while those meeting the criteria will be more likely to appear at the top of the rankings, a prized position that can translate into more visitors and money.

Although Google's new formula won't affect searches on desktop and laptop computers, it will have a huge influence on how and where people spend their money, given that more people are relying on their smartphones to compare products in stores and look for restaurants.

To stay in Google's good graces, websites must be designed so they load quickly on mobile devices. Content must also be easily accessible by scrolling up and down—without having to also swipe to the left or right. It also helps if all buttons for making purchases or taking other actions on the website can be easily seen and touched on smaller screens.

Google has been urging websites to cater to mobile device for years, mainly because that is where people are increasingly searching for information.