Google Pigeon is the
code name
A code name, call sign or cryptonym is a code word or name used, sometimes clandestinely, to refer to another name, word, project, or person. Code names are often used for military purposes, or in espionage. They may also be used in industrial c ...
given to one of
Google
Google LLC () is an American multinational technology company focusing on search engine technology, online advertising, cloud computing, computer software, quantum computing, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and consumer electronics. ...
's local
search algorithm
In computer science, a search algorithm is an algorithm designed to solve a search problem. Search algorithms work to retrieve information stored within particular data structure, or calculated in the search space of a problem domain, with eith ...
updates. This update was released on July 24, 2014. The update is aimed to increase the ranking of local listing in a search.
The changes will also affect the search results shown in
Google Maps
Google Maps is a web mapping platform and consumer application offered by Google. It offers satellite imagery, aerial photography, street maps, 360° interactive panoramic views of streets ( Street View), real-time traffic conditions, and rou ...
along with the regular Google search results.
As of the initial release date, it was released in US English and was intended to shortly be released in other languages and locations. This update provides the results based on the user location and the listing available in the local directory.
Effect on search results
The purpose of Pigeon is to provide preference to
local search results. On the day of release, it received mixed responses from
webmaster
A webmaster is a person responsible for maintaining one or more websites. The title may refer to web architects, web developers, site authors, website administrators, website owners, website coordinators, or website publishers.
The duties of ...
s. Some complained about the ranking being decreased whereas others reported improvement in the search rankings. As per the webmasters' understanding, this update has location and distance as key parts of the search strategy. The local directory listings are getting preferences in web results.
What's new
To improve the quality of local searches and provide more relevant results to the user, Google relies on factors such as location and distance. This update alters the local listings in the search results; along with this, the local directory sites are given preference.
See also
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Google Hummingbird
Hummingbird is the codename given to a significant algorithm change in Google Search in 2013. Its name was derived from the speed and accuracy of the hummingbird. The change was announced on September 26, 2013, having already been in use for a m ...
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Google Panda
Google Panda is a major change to Google's search results ranking algorithm that was first released in February 2011. The change aimed to lower the rank of "low-quality sites" or "thin sites", in particular " content farms", and return higher-qual ...
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Google Penguin
Google Penguin was a codename for a Google algorithm update that was first announced on April 24, 2012. The update was aimed at decreasing search engine rankings of websites that violate Google's Webmaster Guidelines by using now declared Grey Ha ...
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PageRank
PageRank (PR) is an algorithm used by Google Search to rank web pages in their search engine results. It is named after both the term "web page" and co-founder Larry Page. PageRank is a way of measuring the importance of website pages. According ...
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Timeline of Google Search
References
External links
Search Engine Land Names new Google Local search update.
“Pigeon” Algorithm Update Released Thursday 7/24/14.
SMX on Pigeon from SEO Land.
Google On Pigeon Fluctuations: We Won’t Detail All Changes In The Future
Google Pigeon Update: Local Results Updated Again
Discussion on Webmaster World about Pigeon Update.
Google’s Local Search Engine Algorithm Spreads Its Wings
Impactful Google Algorithm Updates with Explanations
{{Google LLC
Search engine optimization
Link analysis
Pigeon
Columbidae () is a bird family consisting of doves and pigeons. It is the only family in the order Columbiformes. These are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills that in some species feature fleshy ceres. They primarily ...