Google frowning on web pop ups - question

[SEO Lady]

Hi guys n gals

I know Google is implementing a new feature to it's algorithm in January regarding excessive pop ups on websites.

My question is - I have several clients with the "Live Chat" feature on site - do you think this would be viewed as a negative by Google?

I haven't really come across a definitive answer in SERPs just now.

Cheers,
Nina

Edit: There's one on UKBF

 

[fisicx]

Google is targeting those interstitial popup that block access to content. For example, those popups that want you to sign up for an ebook a few seconds after landing.

If the live chat blocks access to content (which it often does on a phone) then I suspect Google will regard this as intrusive as well. The only way we will know for sure is when the policy comes into force.

 

[SEO Lady]

So I'm guessing on Wordpress there would be a functionality to hide on mobile devices much the same as hiding massive banners?

 

[altonroot]

Google hasn't given clear guidelines. They said interstitial penalty is for annoying pop ups, that's what they said first. Then many times they said many things. Like app install pop up is fine, age restricted access pop up is fine, important terms and conditions pop up according to regions will be fine etc. People have asked for many valid reasons they need pop up. I guess one thing which looks clear to me is, having a proper pop up with easy to close on mobile and desktop both would be fine. It seems to me that Google has problem with those pop up ads which can't closed or difficult to close. In some cases, big brands somewhat force users to install apps on mobile devices is also huge problem. Google just want that people should offer proper mobile website to rank of Google. And this becomes more important after Mobile First index.

 

[Gordon McNevin]

I'm going to say I'm 99% sure you'll be fine as it's a requested pop-up action. It's not trying to deceive the user (pop-under, 2 popups) etc. If you're trying to make the user experience better then Google will be fine with it.

 

[fisicx]

Are you sure about this? If I visit a site to get some information and an interstitial popup blocks access then it's not requested. Google does explain this in their article:

"To improve the mobile search experience, after January 10, 2017, pages where content is not easily accessible to a user on the transition from the mobile search results may not rank as highly."

https://webmasters.googleblog.com/2016/08/helping-users-easily-access-content-on.html

 

[Gordon McNevin]

Are you sure about this? If I visit a site to get some information and an interstitial popup blocks access then it's not requested. Google does explain this in their article:

"To improve the mobile search experience, after January 10, 2017, pages where content is not easily accessible to a user on the transition from the mobile search results may not rank as highly."

As fisicx pointed out, worth a further look I'd say. But saying that, Google 'says' a lot of stuff!

 

[StevePoster]

No need to wait for you to hear or know the clear guidelines as well as the official announcement. Google still consider great user experience on the site so that as much as possible we provide the source of information with ease to the target people.