Responsive websites rank better?

[CFSSEO]

In the upcoming months, or even now, do you think responsive websites will rank higher?

[FedeEinhorn]

It isn't true. Responsive don't rank better. Usually people tend to say that as search engines like to show useful results to their users, therefore, when a user searches from a mobile device, the engine will most likely rank the one that it is better suited for a mobile device first (regardless if it is a responsive design or a mobile site).

Suppose a mobile search returns 2 sites that are equally worth reading, but only one has a mobile version (whether responsive or mobile). Then the engine may rank the mobile version one higher as it is  best suited for the device the user is using.

More info in the following Google Webmasters Help video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D03wRb4s7MU

[asbchris]

I will chime in, although learning myself.

With just listening to Mr. Shepard speak in a video, it seems like by 2016, Mobile will take over desktop usage. Not that desktops are going to be obsolete, its more that people will be able to access the information they need by using mobile devices.

So instead of waiting to get home to research things online, people will use their phones to get the information that they need.

So I think responsive sites are great for being able to cater to as many people as possible to cover all of the bases.

Chris

[simon_realbuzz]

Sites that optimise the mobile experience will enjoy better rankings. That doesn't have to be a responsive site - it could be delivered on a separate mobile version or by dynamic serving. Clearly if you are providing your mobile visitors with an experience enhanced for mobile devices then you will be rewarded for that. A users who comes to a site from search which provides only a desktop version of the site and finds it virtually unusable will inevitably click back immediately - sending to Google the signal that their search query hasn't been met by that site. Optimise the user experience for the device the user is using - remember responsive isn't always the best option for user experience.