Google launched their pigeon update. What is Pigeon algorithm?The core function of Google’s search engine is PigeonRank™, a system for ranking web pages developed by two PhD students Larry Page and Sergey Brin at Stanford University.
Google’s pigeon algorithm relies on page speed and relevancy of search query. This algorithm simply ranks a website based on its authority on local search engines.
Many bloggers claim that this algorithm update is not a penalty. However many websites get outranked with every Google’s algorithm update.
Since July 24th 2014 one has heard and read many websites lost their ranking on local search results. Why has this happened? It depends on many factors such as their websites activities, their pay per click campaign, and their social media campaigns.
One of the key changes which were seen after the update has been a drastically lower number of queries that now include a local listing pack
If your website has encountered a traffic drop, this may well be due to the disappearance of your local listings.
Many local directories have seen a considerable boost in rankings. For some queries, the entire SERP is built from well-known local directories only.
Should you build local listing on these types of directories? I strongly suggest you not to do it. This type of directory listings temporarily ranks your website on Google, then with the next algorithm modification, you lose ranking.
If you remember during Panda and Penguin updates in 2013, everybody was suggesting guest blog posting and I advised my students and community members not do it.
Search results put a heavy emphasis on your listing’s image and rating, while showing all options side-by-side. So make sure to put a high quality banner and photo in your Google+ and the other social media accounts and encourage your customers to review your business.
Creating a Google+ Local page for your local business is the first step to being included in Google’s local index. Your second step is to verify your ownership of the listing. Make sure to apply a proper category when creating your Google plus page.
Make sure your business name, address and phone numbers are also consistent in all local directories where your business is listed.
Add product keyword in your business title. It is good for your SEO.