Google is currently testing a significant change to its mobile search results page: a large, blue “Visit” button positioned prominently beneath a website’s sitelinks. This experimental feature aims to streamline user experience and potentially increase website traffic.
Early Access and Visibility
While not everyone will see this new button yet, it’s appearing for some users on mobile search results. Google’s approach of A/B testing allows them to gauge user response and optimize the feature before a wider rollout (if it proves successful).
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced User Experience: The large, blue button provides a clear and easy-to-track call to action for users on mobile devices. This can be particularly helpful for those with limited screen space or who prefer a more direct way to navigate to a website.
- Increased Click-Through Rates: A prominent “Visit” button might encourage more users to click through to the displayed website, potentially leading to higher traffic for those sites.
Unanswered Questions and Future Implications
It’s still early to determine the long-term impact of this test. Here are some lingering questions:
- Impact on Organic Search Ranking: Will websites with the “Visit” button benefit from a ranking boost in mobile search results?
- User Perception: How will users perceive this button? Will it be seen as helpful or intrusive?
- Wider Rollout: If the test proves successful, will Google implement this feature for all mobile searches?
Following Google’s Mobile-First Approach
This experiment aligns with Google’s mobile-first approach. As more and more searches happen on mobile devices, Google continuously refines its search engine results pages (SERPs) to optimize the user experience for this platform.
The appearance of a prominent “Visit” button on mobile search results is a noteworthy development with potential implications for both users and websites. As Google analyzes user behavior during this testing phase, we can expect to learn more about the future of mobile search interactions.