Google Pigeon has had a big impact on local SEO since it was released in July 2014.
This update to Google’s search algorithm has made a big difference in the way local businesses are ranked.
In this blog post, we will discuss what Google Pigeon is, and how it impacted the future direction of Google.
What is Google Pigeon?
The release of Pigeon, on July 24 2014, resulted in one of the most significant shakeups of Google’s local and local organic results to date.
The name “Pigeon” was given to this update by Search Engine Land, an industry magazine that received direct Google information regarding the intent of this algorithm.
This update was designed to refine the way Google handles local search results, and improve ranking parameters based on distance and location.
In other words, local search results are different from regular search results in that they are based on your current location.
For example, if you search for “pizza” on Google, you will see different results depending on where you are. Google Pigeon was designed to improve the accuracy of these local search results.
How Google Pigeon Works
Google Pigeon works by taking your current location into account when displaying local search results.
This means that businesses that are closer to you will be more likely to show up in your search results.
Google Pigeon also uses other factors to determine your location, such as your IP address and GPS data from your mobile device.
And this update also affected the way Google displays local business listings in the “Local Pack” results. The Local Pack is the box that appears at the top of the search results with a map and three local business listings.
Google Pigeon has changed the way these listings are sorted, and businesses that are closer to your location are more likely to appear in the Local Pack.
These packs were formerly a group of 7 local businesses that would show if you conducted a search; Pigeon whittled the number of listings down to 3 in 2015, roughly a year after it was implemented.
What Google Pigeon Means for Local Businesses
Google Pigeon has had a big impact on local businesses, especially those that rely on Google for their marketing.
If you have a local business, it is important to make sure that your Google listing is up-to-date and accurate.
You should also make sure that your website is optimised for local SEO.
To achieve the highest possible ranking and secure a spot in the 3-pack local results, here’s a few things you can tweak on your website:
Traditional SEO
Use good old-fashioned SEO and put in the hard work.
Build links and connections, and produce content that goes above and beyond to give your consumers the finest information, taking advantage of the keywords that your target audience is searching for.
Publish in Local Directories
Local directories, such as Yelp, OpenTable, Four Square, and the like, are where consumers go to read other people’s experiences with local businesses—plus more.
These sites have a big role in attracting visitors to your site as well as boosting your Google PageRank.
The more sites containing similar information you submit your material on, the greater authority and legitimacy you will gain on your own site; this will enhance its position in local searches.
Focus on Region-Specific Content
Create content such as images, videos or blogs that links you to a certain location, be it a city or region; this will help you establish your authority on local searches.
Register for Google My Business
Even if you don’t remember creating a Google My Business account, you probably have one. Your company’s information is kept consistent across Google Search, Maps, and other services by Google My Business. Once you’ve created your page, optimise it to ensure that Google has all the relevant information it needs to recognise that you’re a real local firm.
What Google Pigeon Means for the Future of Google
Google Pigeon is a big step forward for Google in terms of local search.
Unlike Panda and Penguin which penalised websites for a number of things like bad links or poor content, Pigeon focused on targeting important changes to the underlying local search algorithm.
This update shows that Google is committed to providing accurate and relevant results for each individual user.
Google Pigeon is a big win for businesses and consumers alike, and we can only expect Google to continue to improve its local search results in the future.
In the meantime, take a look at our SEO service here.