Over at WebProNews they have reported that there is a ’70% chance’ that Apple will build a search engine in the next 5 years. The article goes on to say that Apple will be in a unique position to utilise data harvested from it’s App Store to create a mobile search engine. Interesting stuff methinks…

I am beginning to realise that the next big change (well it’s already happening, perhaps acceleration is a more apt word?) in SEO will be the mobile market. This is definitely the way forward for SEO, there is a whole new market emerging that is just waiting to be utilised. Mobile search may be a small section of the current market, but I can foresee (in my crystal ball, no less) that this is set to grow, and grow, and grow.

How can an SEO move into the mobile market?

• The first thing to consider is that location is a big factor in mobile search. People on the move looking for products and services. So, get your Google Maps profile up to date.
• Make sure your code validates. When I was a web designer it was a pride issue more than anything else that my code validated, but there still seems to be a lot of sites out there that don’t validate.
• Follow Accessibility best practices. This makes sense for SEO anyway. Watch my (somewhat embarrassing) Video, SEO vs Accessibility, I did with Nick last year for more info…
• Use ‘traditional’ SEO on-site techniques – Keywords in headings, easy navigation, internal linking etc etc.

So, even if Apple don’t set up their own mobile search engine it’s well worth dipping into this market now before the inevitable explosion happens – that way you’re at the top before it gets difficult to be there.