{"id":533,"date":"2014-08-04T14:06:08","date_gmt":"2014-08-04T18:06:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sharpinnovations.com\/blog\/?p=533"},"modified":"2019-05-16T14:19:52","modified_gmt":"2019-05-16T18:19:52","slug":"google-pigeon-and-local-search-engine-optimization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sharpinnovations.com\/blog\/2014\/08\/google-pigeon-and-local-search-engine-optimization\/","title":{"rendered":"Google Pigeon and Local Search Engine Optimization"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"pigeon\" <\/p>\n

About a week ago, Google released a new search algorithm update which caused one of the largest changes to local search we\u2019ve seen. Given the nickname \u201cPigeon\u201d by Search Engine Land<\/a>, this update is intended to provide better local information by delivering more relevant and accurate results to the person who is doing a search. Businesses seeing benefits from this update are ones who are properly set up on the necessary directories and social media channels, and who are also fully optimized to boost their local search efforts. If you are not<\/i> set-up on the major local directories or social media websites, like Google+, or if you are haven\u2019t bothered to update the account with photos, information and the rest of the required or optional information, you will likely see a drop in both traffic and organic search referrals. <\/p>\n

To illustrate the benefits of a properly completed Google+ My Business page, for instance, take a look at the search results page (SERP) below. Looking at the results for \u201cfood in lancaster,\u201d you should immediately notice the \u201ccarousel\u201d at the top of the page. This carousel stands out to your customers, and is a distinct, FREE<\/b> way to attract attention on an ordinary search page. Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant not only has a full Google+ My Business page featuring pictures, hours, and more, it also has over 100 reviews. All of this is information a potential visitor would find useful in their search. Google is not just boosting its own entities with this local algorithm update, but others as well, including Yelp, TripAdvisor, UrbanSpoon, and so on, as demonstrated in the results page.<\/p>\n

\"food-in-lancaster-search-results\" <\/p>\n

The good news for clients of Sharp Innovations\u2019 search engine optimization packages<\/a> is that the signs were pointing to an update like this for a long time. This is why we partnered with Universal Business Listing submission services last year, and offer it to all our SEO clients. Not only does this ensure you have the proper accounts, but also consistent listings across the different channels. This is in important piece of the puzzle, since you really don\u2019t want the wrong business information out there floating around. If someone\u2019s looking for you and finds a phone number to call or an address to visit that isn\u2019t accurate or up to date, you can imagine the frustration (and so can Google)!<\/p>\n

If you aren\u2019t currently one of our search marketing clients, and you aren\u2019t sure whether or not you are set-up on the appropriate websites, there are free tools that give you an idea of places to look. Moz has a great local tool<\/a> that offers a free version to check listings that we would recommend.<\/p>\n

If you want to benefit from the Google Pigeon update and make sure your business isn\u2019t left behind, you\u2019ll want to do the following:<\/p>\n