Skip to main content

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.
If you have noticed any ranking changes and referral changes for your local business, please let us know in the comments.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Tesla Model S & BMW i3 Get New Skins

Tesla may be the most American car company nowadays, and especially once the gigafactory gets rolling. In honor of Veterans Day , Tesla rolled out a a Tesla Model S with camouflage vinyl wrap and louvered back windows. The special Model S was also stamped with a nice Twitter hashtag, #TeslaVets. It’s a nice tribute to the guys and gals who put their lives on the line in the name of the USA, and it also brings attention to the fact that one of the best ways to protect the country from some of its biggest threats, global warming and oil wars, is to go electric. But this isn’t Tesla’s first sign of support for vets. The California-based car company has also committed to hiring a lot of them . “The actual work was done by SS Customs, and also features unique camo wheels, a roof rack, and yellow military-esque headlights,” GAS2 writes . “Tesla revealed the Veterans day tribute via its Facebook page , with this simple message; ‘A heartfelt Veterans Day thank you to all wh...

Taylor Swift Unhappy After Princeton Review Misquotes Her Lyrics in SAT Test Paper

Image courtesy: TaylorSwiftVEVO/YouTube The popstar of several multi-million dollar hits and multi-million dollar legs , Taylor Swift is not one to be messed with. The Princeton Review found that out the hard way after they published Tay Tay's lyrics as an example of bad grammar on a SAT practice test. To be fair, they were trying to make the point that pop songs are where grammar goes to die and also cited other pop singers such as Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga and Kesha. The fiercely loyal Tay Tay fans were not likely to let this go by and Tumblr user Nava who was apparently having ' an amazing time studying for SAT' when she spotted this, posted a snapshot with the caption, " .... it isn't a pop song it's a country pop song so take that Princeton review Taylor is grammar queen so shhhhhh.." Source Unluckily for the Princeton Review however they misquoted the lyrics of the song Fifteen. The question paper wanted students to g...

Game Of Thrones Game Leads Into Season 5

Telltale Games has kept their Game of Thrones project under tight wraps over the past year. On Tuesday, they finally shed some light on the adventure game based on the HBO show. Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series stars House Forrester. They appeared in George R. R. Martin's novel A Dance with Dragons but haven't been seen in the TV show yet. The Forresters reside in the Wolfswood in northern Westeros. Their stronghold of Ironrath has stood at the edge of Westeros' largest ironwood forest for fifteen hundred years. "Ironrath is a testament to the strength and endurance of Ironwood," Telltale explains . "The Forrester house words are 'Iron from Ice', which echoes their belief that - like the ironwood itself - the adverse conditions and unforgiving landscape of the North only makes them stronger." Like their bannermen at House Glover, the Forresters are loyal allies of the Starks. This puts them right in the middle of the War ...