Overview:
Released in August 2013, Google Pigeon Update is an updated algorithm that was launched to improve the usefulness, relevance, and accuracy of search results that are linked to traditional web ranking. The distance and location ranking parameters were also improved with this update. Businesses nearby the search location were shown rather than other areas therefore narrowing down on the results. Google wanted the local business to make a strong web presence in the organic form to compete for the local rankings. This update brought a drastic change in the organic results of Google. It was updated to improve the rankings of the business and rank them on the basis of location and distance. After the pigeon update, there were several changes for weeks, the SEO professionals reported this issue. Earlier there used to be 7 results of business appearing in the site but now only 3 results are displayed.
Learn Digital Marketing from one of the Leading institute in Delhi NCR
Objectives:
- To enhance its ranking signals for Google search and also maps.
- Local businesses to be showing up on Google searches in a particular location.
- To narrow down the search results as per the specific location and distance. Eg Best Digital Marketing Company in Noida will show companies around Noida and not far of places.
- Increase the organic results in SEO so that local businesses can focus on organic presence in the search results and that they are genuine as the listing was reduced from 7 pack to 3 pack.
- To minimize spam listing of websites on Google to improve search results.
Issued addressed:
- The content of the website was improved to get more domain authority and better local organic ranking to be featured in the results.
- Text, video, images associated with local business, and the neighbourhood was more focused on to improve visibility on search results.
- To compete in 3 packs, businesses had to adhere to basic SEO checklists to better their pages.
- Listing of multiple websites on Google to get better results were stopped and those not as per its guidelines were taken off to free up spots for other genuine businesses.
Recovery from pigeon update:
- Use Search Engine Results Page tracking sites to check for algorithm updates if any.
- Check for keywords that are used are they location-specific or not.
- Optimize your website as per the geographic location.
- Increase the quality of the content that is used and should be aligned with the guideline.
- Encourage customer testimonials and reviews to show the genuineness of the website.
Eg. of the effects of pigeon algorithm where 7 pack search results were reduced to 3.
Facts about Pigeon Update
Google wanted to utilize the full benefit of its ranking signals by connecting the local algorithm with a traditional web algorithm. In this way, the local business was pushed forward to establish strong online visibility to rank in local searches.
Its motive was to improve Google’s ability to identify nearby businesses. In many cases, search results were narrowed and those businesses were showed up which were the closest to the searcher. The full impact of Pigeon update aroused many issues because there were some ranking fluctuations following its release. The SEO professionals who were using the A/B test got different results.
Due to its narrowing location policy, many businesses that ranked previously were suddenly out of the search results. Google has become more conscious about the divide metrics and pigeon update is one step ahead in this.
The main reason for Pigeon update was that many spam lists appeared in the search results. This violated the Google’s guidelines, as well as general public, also reported these things. One of the limitations of the Pigeon update is that it is still not able to identify which business are the legitimate ones and which have been manipulated to rank high.
How Pigeon update proof your online visibility
Many local businesses see pigeon updates as a challenge for them. This update has not penalized those practicing unfair ways but it has established Google stand on relevance. It considers those factors which are not in control of businesses. For instance, when Google shows the places nearby then business cannot control the distance up to which Google measures. In this way, many businesses who are nearby the searcher but on the other side of the city won’t get the chance to appear in results.
There is some hope because business can control some other factors
Use strong links
Use proper links from websites with strong profiles and increase your domain authority. This will help you in high organic rankings.
If you create content and do association with local neighbour business then your authority will get strengthen.
Remove duplicate listings
Focus on eliminating replicate listings, increase the accuracy of your business information. You need to compete in 3 pack environment and this is where the local SEO checklist plays a significant role. Try to gain positive feedback and do more tasks necessary for the business. Do proper execution of your foundation activities, never overlook them or you would be thrown out of the local search rankings.
Report the spam business
You can help Google whenever Google fails in its policies itself. First, understand all the guidelines of Google thoroughly and report whenever you encounter any violations. It will help you a lot as you can report the spam business which was ranking higher than you in the search results. It is not necessary that Google will always take action on your reports but you can try at least. The removal of a spam business will free up the high rank and your business will get advantage from it. Do not report any business just because it is your competitor and doing better than you. Just check those businesses which are violating Google’s guidelines and report them.
Benefit from Pigeon update
Users who are searching for business nearby will get better results. So, Users of Google Map enjoy this benefit of Pigeon Update.
Local directory sites are given more authority and hence it will improve their online visibility.
Many companies used to face issues because of the spelling mistakes of their business which affected their search engine rankings. Google has now updated itself and it has also worked upon to recognize the synonyms. Hence there are no issues in SERPs.
Loss from Pigeon Update
The business which has weaker websites will suffer the most. On the other hand, businesses with strong websites will benefit from greater search presence.
Google gives priority to businesses with high authority. It is built with the help of backlinks and SEO. So, those local businesses that do not have backlinks will rank lower in search results.
There is very less opportunities to appear on the first page. This is because some local directories come appear in the first page
Its impact on SEO
The pigeon update is regarded as one of the biggest search algorithms.
Let us discuss about its impact:
There used to be a lot of manipulation in local business ranking so the pigeon update targeted Google Maps and GoogleMyBusiness. After the arrival of the Pigeon update, there was a significant change in rankings that one will differentiate between the time before the pigeon update and after pigeon update.
Require organic online presence
The aim of the pigeon update was to make the local search results as the organic ones. The local businesses were supposed to make the best use of hundreds of ranking signals. The requirement for utilizing this advantage was to have organic visibility on the web to rank high in the search results.
Thus, the metric on the basis of which local businesses were ranked changed significantly. As a result, the priority in the ranking was given to those local businesses which have an organic online presence.
Limiting the search results
The Pigeon update limited the search results of locations for local businesses. Google became an expert in evaluating the distance of a searcher and that of a local business. That business that was closest to the searcher was ranked first. Therefore, keywords didn’t play a significant role, and all the rankings are now decided on the basis of location.
Significant reduction in Google Map Results
Before Google rolled out the pigeon update, about 7-10 businesses appeared in the lists of search results. After this update, Google Map reduced its results to just 3 business listing. Due to this algorithm, many business witness themselves out of the listing abruptly and became nearly invisible.
Eliminate the spam businesses
One issue that is frustrating is that many spam listings made their way into the local search results. Unfortunately, spam businesses develop their ability to enter the list and also appear on the first page of the results. The genuine businesses got out of the list as a spammy business take their place. This is because Google is not able to differentiate between the legitimate business and the spam ones. It is important to remember that Google is working to overcome this issue and may come out with the solution someday.
Related Article