Google Mobile-friendly - Toolkit mobile verses responsive design

[lesliekirk]

A store owner passed along a comment that their marketing person told them and I'm still scratching my head. They were told that Google will start penalizing non-responsive websites. Did I miss the memo on that? This particular site is using the Toolkit mobile but their marketing person is telling them "it's not good enough for Google"

[Rick Wilson]

It was almost 2 years ago they started penalizing for non mobile sites, I am not aware of that being tightened to only mean responsive.

[Bruce - PhosphorMedia]

I understand, that unless something has changed, the 'penalty' for non-mobile friendly versions is restricted to the device that does the search. In other words, if you are searching from a mobile device, and your site ISN'T mobile friendly, it's not going to be highly rated for THAT search. If you search from a desktop, then that penalty doesn't exist.

[lesliekirk]

I understand, that unless something has changed, the 'penalty' for non-mobile friendly versions is restricted to the device that does the search. In other words, if you are searching from a mobile device, and your site ISN'T mobile friendly, it's not going to be highly rated for THAT search. If you search from a desktop, then that penalty doesn't exist.

I understood that too, initially, but now I think Google is looking (and checking) to see if the site is mobile friendly. If it passes their tester, they are almost happy, then you find yourself going through an entire checklist of other things to make sure are tweaked. Hence the perk of having only one set of coding to keep updated but I can't see Google rewarding you for that too.

[Bruce - PhosphorMedia]

On the later, certainly, especially if you don't have the resources to essentially run two sites (and most Store Owners struggle with one). In the best of worlds, I think separate sites make sense as there are less "compromises" but it's literally twice the work and cost. Personally I don't see the advantage of penalizing a Desktop site on a Desktop search and I don't think google does things that doesn't give the searching what THEY need. (Especially if it effects their bottom line :) )