This time, mobile’s really taking over.

More and more search activity is taking place on mobile devices. So it makes sense that Google is tweaking its algorithms – yet again – to keep up with users and their roving smartphones. But their latest change may have significant impact on non-mobile-ready marketers.

In this article from The Guardian, a Google webmaster trends analyst reveals that, in just months, desktop Google searches will officially take a backseat to mobile.

According to the article, the search giant plans to split their single search index into two – one rapidly updated index for mobile, and a second, potentially out-of-date one for desktop. Their objective is to create a better smartphone search experience, and encourage other sites to ensure they’re mobile-friendly.

While keeping up with Google’s changes is a never-ending pursuit, it’s also a vital part of an effective digital marketing strategy. After all, any smart marketer understands the importance of meeting potential customers where they already are. And in this case, they’re on their mobile devices. As we’ve discussed previously, capturing that traffic is one of the most effective ways to boost sales. If your site isn’t up to snuff when viewed on a smartphone, now is the time to dedicate the time and resources necessary to optimize it.

As an increasingly larger share of global marketing spending moves to digital, it’s undeniably vital to stay on top of developments in technology. Google’s impending transition is further reinforcement of that lesson.

In typical fashion, Google is obtuse about the change. Their official statement reads, “[we] are always experimenting with different approaches to keep search index as relevant and useful as possible, but we don’t have any new developments to announce.”

If you know Google, you know there’s just one word missing from that statement: “yet.”