The Net is undergoing a change !

The year 1999 saw Internet users getting introduced to the concept of 'desktop searches'. Apparently, the emergence of this visionary concept took the entire PC market by storm, triggering the evolution of world's most influential (search engine) brand known as Google Inc. today.

Since then search engine marketing has grown manifold. In the last 12 years, Internet marketing techniques including SEO (Search Engine Optimization), PPC (Pay Per Click), SMO (Social Media Optimization) have helped countless businessmen and merchants from every corner of the world, to grab sizable chunks of virtual space and benefit from it. But even this is undergoing a change now.

“The fact of the matter is that mobile devices are going to be the majority of the way that people get information” - Eric Schmidt, CEO, Google Inc. in March 2009

Today, in 2011, Internet giants are again pushing the envelope. However,  this time, the approach is much concise and far-reaching. Yes, we are now moving in to the world of mobile SEO, the future face of Internet search marketing. Now that smartphones/tablet PCs have been outpacing desktops in terms of sales and they have also captured the imagination of established virtual world names, who see abundant potential in it.

But why mobile Search Engine Optimization ?

Simply because almost every one owns a smartphone today. In fact, according to a recent report made public by eMarketer, the projected figure of worldwide mobile-search users in 2011 will be 844.9 million, which is a staggering jump of 625.7 million from the 219.2 million mark recorded in 2006. Another similar stat that suggests the rising mobile Internet usage has been published by comScore according to which mobile browser  was the most common channel of accessing Internet by users with a 10.8 million subscriber-base in March, 2010. 

But these are just plain figures. Honestly, the idea of surfing Internet while moving and staying connected round the clock is a bit tempting. Of course, the smartphones (known to be miniature versions of modern-day desktops) selling like hot cakes and increasing number of mobile-customized websites, suggest only one thing. That is more people can be accessed via smartphone than a normal Internet-enabled Personal Computer.

Search engine optimization therefore, now needs to target the smartphone users – the potential customers for your business search for you on their hand held devices – you need to reach out for them too !!