Around September 7th, Google may have launched a local search ranking update.
On mobile, service-area businesses (SABs) are experiencing ranking decreases in the Local Search, Forum, and certain SAB Google Business Profiles are now inaccessible on the desktop. Only the Local Pack results have experienced these decreases in the rankings compared to organic rankings.
These ranking adjustments appear to have begun around September 7, indicating a change in the local algorithm that prioritizes SABs on or about this date.
It can’t give you any precise advice right now, though. The entire local SEO community is actively attempting to solve this puzzle, as you’ll see below.
Sterling Sky‘s Joy Hawkins is referring to both, the September Broad Core Algorithm Update, which started rolling out two days ago, and the Google’s Helpful Content Update, which began on August 25 and took two weeks to go out.
The community may be observing changes in SAB rankings as a result of these adjustments, but a local-only algorithm upgrade is always a possibility. We’re definitely overdue for another change since Google confirmed the vicinity update for the local algorithm in late 2021.
What current knowledge do local SEOs require?
Local SEO specialists are now figuring out what happened and how to fix the changes in exposure and ranking.
If your service-area business is impacted by the Kansas bug, the local search forum recommends contacting Google support.
This sudden turn of events makes it possible that a bug is at work.
Is this a new algorithm?
Because the adjustments occurred around the same time as Google’s Helpful Content Upgrade and September’s Broad Core Algorithm Update, Barry Schwartz of Search Engine Roundtable and Search Engine Land is flagging them as a potential local algorithm update.
Joy, on the other hand, has noticed more modifications with her own GBP for Sterling Sky. Despite being a SAB, that company profile now offers a user the chance to find “Directions” to the establishment.
On the meantime, Kyle Sabraw posted the following in Tim Kahlert’s Local SEO Strategies Facebook Group:
It’s challenging to determine whether the following has been the cause, in addition to this and the potential return of the Kansas bug:
- One-by-one local algorithm updates
- The results of the September Broad Core Algorithm Update or the Helpful Content Update (or both!)
- Many bugs
- Something totally different
Whoever it is at Google, they are certainly keeping local SEOs very busy this week.
Naturally, we’ll monitor these modifications and let you know when something more definitive has been decided.
Concluding the attributes of the situation, it is an all hands on deck week for the local SEOs. Google is certainly making some new modifications which is resulting in a brainstorming session for the local SEOs. Apart from service-area businesses (SABs) experiencing a decrease in rankings compared to organic rankings, there are many other stated changes that are yet to be experienced. As all-hands are on the deck, we will keep you updated with our new finds as we monitor them all like a hawk.