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link building imageLast week Google released a new algorithm update to intended to provide more useful, relevant and accurate local search results that are tied more closely to their traditional web search ranking signals. The changes will be visible within the Google Maps (Google My Business) search results and Google Web search results.

Google have not yet given this latest algorithm a name but ‘Search Engine Land have called it  the “Pigeon Update”   The name Pigeon was used because this a local search update and pigeons tend to fly back home!

The core changes are behind the scenes and full details are not known, 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 advised 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, but it is always good to be up to date with what is happening in the world of SEO

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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