Google Pigeon is one of the latest algorithms launched by Google. But before going into the details of that, let us first understand what exactly an algorithm is. According to the ‘Internet Live Stats’, there were more than one billion active web sites, as of September 2014. This makes the task of sifting through all the sites in order to find relevant information, difficult and complex. So for a typical query, there may be multiple websites that can provide the user with the required information. That is why search engines use complex algorithms like Google Penguin and Google Panda, in order to ensure that relevant information reaches the user, whenever they type a particular keyword/query. Today, Google’s algorithms rely on more than 200 unique signals or ‘clues’ that make it possible to correctly guess what the user may be looking for. These signals can include things like the terms on websites, the uniqueness of content, the region of the user and PageRank.

HOW WILL GOOGLE PIGEON IMPACT THE RANKING OF A WEBSITE?

The Pigeon Update is a new algorithm that was launched by Google on July 24, 2014, with the intention of providing users with helpful, appropriate and correct local search results that are in sync with traditional web search ranking signals as well. Google has stated that this new algorithm improves their distance and location ranking parameters. So what are the major changes that Google Penguin has brought about?

One of the main changes that has been noticed after the Penguin update is that there has been a facelift to the ‘Google Local 7-Pack’. The 7 Pack is the name given to the group of seven Google Maps listings that a user is presented with during a local search. For example, if you type restaurants in Connaught place, you get a list of seven restaurants that are located in CP. Now there may be numerous reasons why Google choose only these seven restaurants, as there are many more located within that region. This is mainly because Google, as usual, is trying to ensure the best search experience for the user (not for the brand). After the Google Penguin update, many users have seen a shift in this section, wherein the results were different with a much tighter focus on local business within the immediate area of search.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NOW?

Google’s Penguin update is the perfect opportunity for brands to focus all their attention on local search engine optimization because this is the major area that is affected by this update. Here are a few things, which website owners can do in order to not just improve their local rankings, but minimize the effect of this algorithm update.

Verify your business on Google Maps and Google+ Local: Make sure that your Google Map listings and Google+ Local listings are up to date as far as possible. Also ensure that you have claimed all the listings associated with your business and that the exact location of your company is placed correctly on the map.

Create local business directories: Do some research and find out all the major local directories. After that, try and list your business with them and optimize it in the best possible manner.

Ensure an optimized website: Always make sure that you create and maintain a high quality website that is optimized for a variety of local search terms. The content in your website must be unique, original and customized according to the demands of customers within your target region.

Build quality backlink profile: Having a high quality backlink profile can help strengthen a website’s authority within Google and similar search engines. So, backlinks from good and authorized local business directories will help you get better rankings and visibility.

Update your contact information as and when required: Ensure that all the contact information on your website, from address to contact number to email address is correct and updated on all websites and directory listings. Also, make sure that these details are consistent in all forms of brand communication.

Involve your customers: Positive feedback from customers can help you improve your local search rankings effectively. You could also link your directory listings in your email newsletter as well as on your website, or use social media platforms to ask your fans and/or followers for their opinion/reviews. The more positivity your brand can generate, the more your listings will improve and thereby, help you improve your rankings as well.

HAVE THE GOOGLE PIGEON UPDATE AFFECTED YOUR WEBSITE?

In case you think that you have been affected by Google Pigeon, or are worried about the consequences of the latest Google algorithm updates, then we will be more than happy to help you minimize the effect of these updates in a successful manner.

If you would like to know more on how we can help or if you have any questions regarding Google Algorithms, we would be delighted to get touch with you. Please feel free to contact our digital experts at Design Mechanics or call us at 91 – 0120- 4206301/04/05. We really look forward to hearing from you soon.