Google “Pigeon” Updates Local Search Algorithm With Stronger Ties To Web Search Signal

Google has released a new algorithm to provide a more useful, relevant and accurate local search results that are tied more closely to traditional web search ranking signals. The changes will be visible within the Google Maps search results and Google Web search results.

Note: We’ve named this update the Pigeon update.

The core changes are behind the scenes, but it does impact local search results rankings and some local businesses may notice an increase or decrease in web site referrals, leads and business from the change.

Google told us that the new local search algorithm ties deeper into their web search capabilities, including the hundreds of ranking signals they use in web search along with search features such as Knowledge Graph, spelling correction, synonyms and more.

In addition, Google said that this new algorithm improves their distance and location ranking parameters.

The new algorithm is currently rolling out for US English results and aims to provide a more useful and relevant experience for searchers seeking local results. Google didn’t share any details about if and when the update would roll out more widely in other countries and languages.

Google has not commented on the percent of queries impacted by this algorithm update, nor if certain web spam algorithms were deployed in this update.

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New Algorithm Google Launches Pigeon Update to Improve Local Search

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Earlier this week, Google released a major algorithm update and logical follow-up to the Hummingbird update called Pigeon. This update, currently active for U.S. English based results, makes local search a more useful and relevant experience for users by connecting with “traditional web search rankings, including search features from the knowledge graph, spelling corrections and search features,”according to MarketingLand’s report.

Although Google stated the “core changes are behind the scene,”business owners and SEOs are already reporting a noticeable impact on search rankings in organic local listings for Google Search and Google Maps. Pigeon improves distance and location ranking parameters, which is music the ears of small business owners competing with big business.

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