January 2025 Algorithm Update?

[JoyHawkins]

I'm seeing some really major ranking changes in the last 48 hours - mostly to organic search results. @rustybrick reported this as well. What are you guys seeing?

 

[rustybrick]

added this to my story @JoyHawkins

 

[JS Girard]

LSG just released an article suggesting that something's been going on as of late: Do We Really Need Another SEO Weather Report? | Local SEO Guide

 

[chadkimball]

I've noticed a few things looking at rankings recently. For a couple years, if your GBP was inside the searcher's city, that could easily trump many other ranking factors, even reviews, when competing with Gbps outside the searcher's city.

But lately It seems like I"m seeing more of this:

-GBPs located outside city limits starting to rank higher, if they have high enough reviews
-GBPs located outside city limits that are more "complete" ranking higher than less complete GBPs inside the city limits.

Anyone else seeing this? Been a while since we had a search ranking report, but the last time they published it, location of the GBP was one of the highest factors. Wondering if that is changing...

 

[JoyHawkins]

Chad,

Are you noticing this with keywords with a geomodifier or without?

 

[chadkimball]

Chad,

Are you noticing this with keywords with a geomodifier or without?

without. Using the brightlocal tool: FREE Local SERP Checker - Local Search Results Checker for Google

 

[JoyHawkins]

Interesting. I'll keep an eye out and let you know if I notice anything.