What’s this about Twitter Apps & AMP?

This is an extract from TWIS SEO News & Updates 14 July 2017.

AMP is extending its reach, with Twitter apps now linking to AMP variant URLs. It look like AMP is here to stay for a little while. Find out about this move and ways to implement this tricky little beast.

If you would like to discuss ways to implement AMP and how it could impact your web business, please feel free to contact me.

#SEO #AMP #SocialMedia #Twitter #PageSpeed

Twitter Apps Linking to AMPs

AMP Twitter Summary:

  • Twitter is now linking to AMP variants of pages from its native apps on iOS and on Android.
  • The company hasn’t made any formal announcement, but SE Land reports significant traffic increase to publisher’s AMP pages.
  • There are still teething issues with AMP implementation, but it is definitely worthwhile testing for publishers, especially as the Mobile First Index is coming.
  • All the signs are there that AMP will be worthwhile to implement, although it is likely not to be a very long-term solution, as there are too many finicky issues with it.
  • Twitter, of course, doesn’t offer its own “fast-loading” variant of HTML, although it was one of the first to adopt a mobile-first philosophy.

TWIS 14 July 2017 Twitter Linking to AMP Pages

(Credit SE Land)

Implementing AMP:

  1. Set up AMP on your pages now, especially if you get a lot of Twitter referrals.
  2. Ensure you test that everything works as expected on the pages before pushing wholly live, especially advertising and video.
  3. As previously noted AMP causes some issues with Analytics (when using Google’s AMP solution). Be wary of this and set up a different profile for AMP usage. You need to ensure AMP traffic and conversions are tracked but don’t want it to be inflated / missed.
  4. Contact me if you would like to discuss this further.

AMP & Twitter Discussion:

Everyone loves a fast loading web. I find the Twitter iOS app (*cough* follow @BelmoreDigital) “open in reading view” option to be a godsend when it comes to reducing the on-screen bloat in websites. I haven’t tested this to see how it works with AMP URLs – the Reading View option may preclude loading AMP.

 AMP has its share of complications and teething troubles, but with the recent news that Facebook is effectively allowing AMP into Instant Articles (and effectively killing Instant Articles), its future looks rosy for the short to medium term.

There is some hope that the web will transition away from the bloated JavaScript mess it is currently, but I don’t hold out a lot of it. Initiatives like AMP need to be seized and used so users get used to a quick web again.

More info:

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Mobile First is NOT Mobile Friendly

Google Mobile First Not Mobile Friendly

I recently wrote about how Google’s Mobile First is Not Mobile Friendly. Read it now.

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TL;DR

Thanks for reading. If you would like to discuss what these changes mean for your web property, or would like to know how to implement them, please feel free to contact me.

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