Does the browers type affect rankings?

[WillCreate]

This may be a rooky question so apologies in advance if it is!

A client of mine has asked why his site's rank is different when he searches for it from his iPhone or computer (where he uses IE) and also on Bing. Obviously I know that there will be differences between Bing and Google so I can explain that to him. But he seems to be implying that the different browsers are affecting the results on his iPhone and computer.

I've tried this myself using Firefox and IE and on Firefox the site ranks page 1 but on IE it ranks page 3 (both using Google). Is this likely to do with the browser having information about my past search habits or is it actually the browser affecting the SERP?

Again, sorry if this is a stupid question!

Thanks in advance.

[activitysuper]

On each browser go to Google's homepage and at the bottom make sure both are set to the same Google location.

If one has .com set and the other has .co.uk set then your going to see a difference in ranking.

Was this the problem?

[StalkerB]

It's much more likely that you're logged into a Google profile on one browser and not on the other, so your results are being personalised to a degree.

Could it be this or do I need to think about it more?

[activitysuper]

Uh that as well, good shout Barry.

When your logged in Google starts to customise your results depending on the searches performed.

[AkshayaPatra]

No. But i can share my experience that browsers play an important role in user experience, if you have designed your website  were browsers cannot display or cache the page then your bounce rate will increase and visitors might not come back again to your website

I recommend The developers should also keep their eys open to all new browsers and upgrade to coding accordingly.

[WillCreate]

Hi guys,thanks for the replies, both very helpful. Barry, that was my immediate thought as well but i've checked and I'm not logged into my Google profile on either browser, and activitysuper I've checked and I've got the same Google location on both. The only difference that I can see is that I'm look at Google in Firefox and getting page 1 and looking at Google in IE and getting page 3. Strange...

[activitysuper]

Ok,

Have you tired clearing all cookies on both browsers and then checking?

[StalkerB]

Have you tried adding &pws=0 to the end of any search query. Does that make a difference?

Even though you're logged out, Google knows

[activitysuper]

Barry what does that query do?

[StalkerB]

It disables personalised search.

[activitysuper]

Didn't know that, thanks

[StalkerB]

Make sure instant search is off though. I think the URLs mess up if that's on.

I don't use instant much though, I hate it