Drop in Android organic search

[JBGlobalSEO]

Hay Moz Community,

I have been analysing traffic fluctuations for a few websites and have found a noticeable drop in organic traffic from android devices. I initially thought it could be a generic mobile drop but iOS is holding its own?

Can anyone share any insights they may have come across to explain the drop on android specifically.

Thank you in advance
Alex

[Andy.Drinkwater]

Hey Alex,

On Android alone seems like a bit of an odd one. I initially thought about the fact that Google has recently announced that they had finished the rollout of the mobile algorithm and upped the signals, but I can't think how this would impact only Android devices.

Is this something that is across the board for each of your clients?

-Andy

[JBGlobalSEO]

there is a slight drop from iOS <5% but the android is a lot more which is what we can't put our finger on. I can't see any differences in way you search or results from iOS and Android which is strange.

[Andy.Drinkwater]

When did you notice that this started? Are there any dates that coincide with anything? Is it so significant that you can't just put it down to the number of users on the different devices?

Have there been any changes to the site that might have affected the tracking code at all? Could it be an issue with reporting in Analytics?

-Andy

[JBGlobalSEO]

We have only really started to look into the cause in the past few weeks.

Same experience on Android and iOS from the site so no variations there. I would certainly look at a tracking or reporting issue if iOS was also showing a massive change but alas its not. Also other channels are reporting ok.

My hunch is something to do with the way android users get serp results or the way they are displayed for organic but I can't find any differences, It could also be down to user behaviour or intent but again can't pin point it.

[bridget.randolph]

It sounds like it may be a misattribution issue rather than an actual traffic loss. This article seems like it could provide a (partial) answer. Do the dates you saw the drop align with the dates mentioned in the article?

[JBGlobalSEO]

Great shout Bridget. They do indeed and that all points to the the answer. Come see me at the #searchlove party this year as I owe you a drink!!

[bridget.randolph]

Glad I could help!