On July 24, news hit that Google had quietly made changes to its local ranking algorithm, dubbed “Pigeon” by Search Engine Land (SEL) in absence of an official name by Google. The new algorithm uses Google’s web search capabilities on a deeper level, meaning that the way local listings are displayed in results will be more like how standard search results are generated with less favoritism toward Google Places listings. Pigeon was the name decided because this is a local search update and pigeons tend to fly back home. The Pigeon update currently affects only US English results, and no information has been released as to when the update will be rolled out in other languages and locations. Pigeon ties local search results more strongly to standard web ranking signals, including the hundreds of ranking signals that analyze a page’s relevance and authority signals. Other Google web search features like Knowledge Graph, spelling correction, and synonyms will also impact local search results. The aim of the update is to provide a more useful, relevant and accurate local web development results. Unlike Penguin and Panda updates, this is not a penalty-based update (aimed at cleaning the SERPs from low-quality content), but a core change to the local search-ranking algorithm. On top of all of these changes, Google has also improved traditional local signals like distance and location ranking parameters. Once your business is registered, optimizing it for the new Pigeon update may give you an added “edge” over your competition. The new Google “Pigeon” algorithm is specifically aimed at local “brick and mortar” businesses. In other words, if you have a physical location (even if it is in your home) you need to pay attention. It is apparent that the Pigeon update has made Organic SEO a more influential component of database developers, as well as local search. Has your business been impacted by Google Pigeon in some way? Website Jungle is a digital marketing company located in New Jersey. Our services include SEO analysis & web optimization. On July 24, news hit that Google had quietly made changes to its local ranking algorithm, dubbed “Pigeon” by Search Engine Land (SEL) in absence of an official name by Google. The new algorithm uses Google’s web search capabilities on a deeper level, meaning that the way local listings are displayed in results will be more like how standard search results are generated with less favoritism toward Google Places listings. Pigeon was the name decided because this is a local search update and pigeons tend to fly back home. The Pigeon update currently affects only US English results, and no information has been released as to when the update will be rolled out in other languages and locations. Pigeon ties local search results more strongly to standard web ranking signals, including the hundreds of ranking signals that analyze a page’s relevance and authority signals. Other Google web search features like Knowledge Graph, spelling correction, and synonyms will also impact local search results. The aim of the update is to provide a more useful, relevant and accurate local web development results. Unlike Penguin and Panda updates, this is not a penalty-based update (aimed at cleaning the SERPs from low-quality content), but a core change to the local search-ranking algorithm. On top of all of these changes, Google has also improved traditional local signals like distance and location ranking parameters. Once your business is registered, optimizing it for the new Pigeon update may give you an added “edge” over your competition. The new Google “Pigeon” algorithm is specifically aimed at local “brick and mortar” businesses. In other words, if you have a physical location (even if it is in your home) you need to pay attention. It is apparent that the Pigeon update has made Organic SEO a more influential component of database developers, as well as local search. Has your business been impacted by Google Pigeon in some way? Website Jungle is a digital marketing company located in New Jersey. Our services include SEO analysis & web optimization.