Tracking Google Local Pigeon Flux Over Time

[Linda Buquet]

As the pigeon flies... Here is the crazy mixed up journey since this major local algo hit on 7/24.

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Pigeonblurbpoint.jpg" alt="Pigeonblurbpoint" width="55%" />
Image credit: Anant Patel - BlurbPoint.com​

Seattle Chiropractor is a market I've been watching closely and tracking for over 3 years. I watch it because it's super competitive has a few spammy listings that sometimes rank high and there are some occasional black hat moves happening.

I pulled these screenshots out of my 1st big Pigeon thread which has gotten way too long, so we can have a thread that just focuses on the ranking movement of this SERP.

So here is my tracking and commentary over time since the update.

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dividermulti.jpg" alt="dividermulti" width="550" height="4" />

<span style="font-size: large;"><b>PRE Update 6/22</b></span>

<img src="http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/attachments/google-local-important/1824d1406258461-major-google-local-algo-update-google-pigeon-seattlechiro6.22.jpg" width="65%" />


<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dividermulti.jpg" alt="dividermulti" width="550" height="4" />

<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day of Update 6/24</b></span>

<img src="http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/attachments/google-local-important/1825d1406258477t-major-google-local-algo-update-google-pigeon-seattlechiro7.24.jpg" width="65%" />​

Here is the spammy listing that was just awarded the A spot!

<a href="https://plus.google.com/117282003257983155227/about?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://plus.google.com/117282003257...27/about?hl=en</a>

<b>Have you ever seen a spammier description on a professional listing?</b>

Category violations too!

Wellness Program, Massage Therapist, Chiropractor, Sports Medicine Clinic, Sports Massage Therapist, Pain Control Clinic, Physical Therapy Clinic, Holistic Medicine Practitioner, Wellness Center, Chiropractor, Wellness Program, Wellness Center, Massage Therapist, <b><span style="color: #b22222;">Seattle</span></b> Chiropractor, Pain Management Physician, <b><span style="color: #b22222;">Seattle</span></b> Nutritionist, <b><span style="color: #b22222;">Seattle</span></b> Wellness Program, Pain Management Clinic, Nutritional Counseling, Chiropractors Dc

Awarded the A spot? Nice one Google!

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dividermulti.jpg" alt="dividermulti" width="550" height="4" />

<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Update 7/25 Algo still in flux!</b></span>

<img src="http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/attachments/google-local-important/1831d1406310381t-major-google-local-algo-update-google-pigeon-seattlechiro7.25.jpg" width="65%" />​

Also Devine had 2 listings in the pack yesterday, now both are gone.

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dividermulti.jpg" alt="dividermulti" width="550" height="4" />

<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Update 7/27</b></span>

<img src="http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/attachments/google-local-important/1833d1406501965t-major-google-local-algo-update-google-pigeon-seattlechiro7.27.jpg" width="65%" />​

The 2 Divines are gone so others moved up and there was a little big of shuffle in rank order.

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dividermulti.jpg" alt="dividermulti" width="550" height="4" />

<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Update 7/30</b></span>

<img src="http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/attachments/google-local-important/1837d1406734974t-major-google-local-algo-update-google-pigeon-seattlechiro7.30.jpg" width="65%" />​

Sorry I missed a couple days. Lots of shifts again.

That spammy A spot - Seattlefamily is gone. YAY! (But it's been jumping in a out of the A spot for several months. It's like a spam algo gets stronger, then relaxes.)

The others moved around some.

I've been watching this pack for 3 years straight and have never seen Wallingford in the pack. Just a quick peek, but I'd call their site slightly over-optimized. At least the title looks KW stuffed to me.

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dividermulti.jpg" alt="dividermulti" width="550" height="4" />

<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Update 7/31</b></span>
<img src="http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/attachments/google-local-important/1840d1406840883t-major-google-local-algo-update-google-pigeon-seattlechiro7.31.jpg" width="65%" />​

More big changes today. I think she's just stirring the pot!

SeattleFamily with the spammy description - back in the A spot.

Eastlake back in, instead of the Dr Kamell listing.

And Seattle Physical Medicine is another new one I've not seen in the pack before.

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dividermulti.jpg" alt="dividermulti" width="550" height="4" />

<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Update 8/7</b></span>

<img title="SeattleChiro8.7" src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/SeattleChiro8.71.jpg" alt="SeattleChiro8.7" width="65%" />​

Yet more major changes, but it's looking better to me just because spammy SeattleFamily is out of the A spot.

Since the last screenshot I took a week ago, Devine and Ballard are gone too.

Fremont took the top spot and like I said before, for about a year they were #1, but they dropped out for several months.

Seattle Physical Medicine, who like I said had never been in the pack before, really moved up. Might be worth checking out what they are doing. Just took a quick peek but they have Seattle 3 times in home title tag. Repeating any KW that many times is not usually not a good thing and it a spam signal I believe. Plus they have very little content on home page. Both sort of fly in the face of what we think Google likes.

C & G are both Dr listings that replaced the main practice listing, so that's not good. Might be worth checking citations on those 2 or other signals, to see why G is favoring the Drs over the main listing.

Graham - new to the pack since this update. Just checked G+ L listing may not even be claimed (no description or images or cats). BUT it has "Seattle Chiropractor" tacked onto the name, which is a violation BUT also may be helping ranking.

(NOTE: Not doing a deep dive on all these... just quick observations.)

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dividermulti.jpg" alt="dividermulti" width="550" height="4" />

<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Update 8/7 <span style="color: #b22222;">5 HOURS LATER!</span></b></span>
<img title="SeattleChiro8.7latersameday" src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/SeattleChiro8.7latersameday.jpg" alt="SeattleChiro8.7latersameday" width="65%" />​

Seattle Physical Med out, Divine back in. Eastlake instead of Dr Kamel, Belltown instead of Dr. Mindel

I've never seen SERPs change so much like this before.

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dividermulti.jpg" alt="dividermulti" width="550" height="4" />

<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Update 8/8</b></span>

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/SeattleChiro8.8.jpg" alt="SeattleChiro8.8" width="65%" />​

So today spammy Seattle Family is back on top. Flourish and Queen Anne are gone. And Lake Union, which normally does not quite make it to the pack is in there now.

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dividermulti.jpg" alt="dividermulti" width="550" height="4" />

<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Update 8/21</b></span>

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/SeattleChiro8.21.jpg" alt="SeattleChiro8.21" width="65%" />​

I've continued to check rankings at least once a day and rankings are still in constant flux. However I got weary of posting screenshot and didn't know if this was of even of interest to anyone, so stopped for awhile.

For the past couple weeks Wallingford has been bouncing around in the pack and I've never seen them in the pack in the past 3 years. Not once, ever. So might be worth trying to figure out what signals they are putting out that Google likes so much.

Eastlake got replaced again by the Dr listing. It keeps flipping back and forth between the 2, so they'd be better off if they knew how to minimize that Dr dupe since it's bare and only has 1 review and the practice is better optimized and has 13 nice reviews. (Sic 'em Danno!)

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dividermulti.jpg" alt="dividermulti" width="550" height="4" />

<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Update 8/23</b></span>

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/SeattleChiro8.23.jpg" alt="SeattleChiro8.23" width="65%" />​

If you were a Chiropractor in this market, wouldn't you be dizzy by now? Have you ever seen results in constant flux for this long?

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dividermulti.jpg" alt="dividermulti" width="550" height="4" />

<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Update 8/26</b></span>

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/SeattleChiro8.26.jpg" alt="SeattleChiro8.26" width="65%" />​

Some significant shifts. Spammy Seattle Family, is knocked back out of the pack and still sits #1 organic. Tuttle used to be in the pack pre-pigeon but has not been post pigeon until today. Eastlake switched back to Dr Kamell again.

NOTE: All these screenshots have been done in Firefox. I occasionally check Chrome but usually they match pretty much. Today the results in Chrome are totally different.

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dividermulti.jpg" alt="dividermulti" width="550" height="4" />

<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Update 9/24</b></span>​

Don't worry I have not given up on this project and continue to check the SERPs almost every day. There has been continuous movement, but pretty much the same players, just different order, so not much to report UNTIL TODAY!

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/SeattleChiro9.24BigChanges.jpg" alt="SeattleChiro9.24BigChanges" width="65%" />​

These are some of the most major changes I've seen since Pigeon flew the coup!

I've never seen Align in the pack. Lake Union, I've only seen once at the very bottom G spot. Haha
So might be worth checking to see what Pigeon likes about those 2.

Eastlake, normally on top is gone. Seattle Physical and Fremont, usually high since Pigeon dropped to bottom.

Devine Chiro, switched to the listing with the Dr's name and moved way up. I'm seeing that a lot with Pigeon - Dr listings replacing the practice listing or flipping back and forth.

What's really interesting to me is the lack of correlation with pure organic (AOL location also set to Seattle.)

We surmised in another post that Fremont - in the pack even though missing from organic - had a Penguin Penalty. And it was assumed that Pigeon let's Penguin penalties in the pack.

Well Align and Lake Union aren't in the top 20 pure organic at all! Are they Penguin casualties too?
And if so, then what does Google like so much about them on the local side?
(Have not checked BL, citations or other factors on any of these.)

And Devine moved up to the #2 spot in the pack even though it's only #15 organic. So that's not Penguin if he's still ranking. But if Pigeon is more about traditional ranking signals, why does he rank so high in the pack even though not high in organic.

So this looks like a pretty radical shift to me, and once again raises more questions than answers.

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dividermulti.jpg" alt="dividermulti" width="550" height="4" />

<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Update 9/24</b></span>​

SAME DAY - ROUND# TWO - This is getting crazy! If Pigeon does not come home to roost soon,
Linda is taking a vacation at the looney bin! This is just really pretty crazy!

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/SeattleChiro9.24Second.jpg" alt="SeattleChiro9.24Second" width="65%" />​

You can compare yourself and see lots of differences.

Noteworthy...

Seattle Family, the spammy one I complain about got knocked of the A spot and is not in pack.

I've never seen Inspire in pack and I've never seen a FB page in this SERP either.

The Devine Chiro Doctor listing is out. Eastlake is back in - but it's the Doctor listing.

Queen Anne is back in - my fav Chiro in that market. Was a consulting client 3 years ago and was always #1 back then. Today he is back in the pack but is missing the website, so I'll ping and let him know.

Edited to add: Just checked and site IS on the page but it's wrong version with www. In past that would cause a ranking problem - but have never seen that problem cause the site to not show up in the 7 pack and just show the G+ L page like that before.

Head spinning...

THOUGHTS??? INSIGHTS??? Leave them below.

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dividermulti.jpg" alt="dividermulti" width="550" height="4" />

STAY TUNED as I'll keep adding to this post as I have time.

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dividermulti.jpg" alt="dividermulti" width="550" height="4" />​

THIS THREAD IS DEVOTED TO TRACKING "SEATTLE CHIROPRACTOR"

Please only comment on this SERP or share observations or analysis on listings in this pack.


Here are the other 2 main discussion threads where general pigeon comments can go.

<a href="http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/21058-google-pigeon-collateral-damage-what-you-can.html">Google Pigeon Collateral Damage & What You Can Do About it</a>
NOTE: In this one I also track spammy violation filled "Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney" SERPs.

<a href="http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/20630-major-google-local-algo-update-google-pigeon.html">Major Google Local Algo Update - Google "Pigeon" Update Shakes it Up!</a>


What do you think? Are these SERPs crazy or what???
<meta property="og:type" content="article"><meta property="og:title" content=""><meta property="og:description" content="As the pigeon flies... Here is the crazy mixed up journey since this major local algo hit ">
<meta property="og:image" content="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Pigeonblurbpoint.jpg">

 

[Linda Buquet]

I got tired of posting screenshots and commentary on these and didn't know if this was of even of interest to anyone, so stopped for awhile.

However, I've continued to check rankings at least once a day and rankings are still in constant flux.

See the updated tracking screenshot for today, 8/21 in the top post above.

 

[Scott Rawlins]

Thanks for update Linda. I, for one, am still very much interested in your research on this.

 

[Linda Buquet]

Thanks Scott, I just got burned out being obsessed with Pigeon for awhile there,
but I'll keep on truckin' just for you!

BTW the 2 fake Los Angeles Personal Injury attorney listings are STILL at the top of the pack.
Thought for sure after all the complaints those would be pulled down.

That's another one I check almost every day, but don't keep posting screenshots because it does not have as much flux AND because it kinda makes my blood boil so I don't like dwelling on it.

Are there enough smileys in this post???

 

[Louis Nava]

I am still interested in the data as well. Big thanks to you Linda for sharing with everyone and sticking with it. I think everyone learned a bunch over the past month.

 

[steven]

Yes, thank you, Linda! This helps.

 

[Linda Buquet]

Just did another update for 8/23.

Wouldn't you be totally dizzy if you were Queen Anne or Seattle Physical?
One day in, next day out and back and forth.

And what's with Eastlake? One day the practice ranks, the next it's Kamell, the Dr listing.

I don't know if I've said it here but I've said it other places. I am convinced, Google is running at least 3 different versions of the algo on different data centers and sort of rotating them.
Maybe doing some type of A/B testing.

I say this in part, because all the Google datacenter IPs I can find are still showing the old pre-Pigeon results and many of the tools I use that send me screenshots or ordered pack results are still showing the old algo ranking order as well. Classic Google maps is showing the old ranking order too, because it’s using a different datacenter than Google search.

So that would account for the crazy constant flux we are seeing.
Depends on which of the rotating datacenters you hit.

 

[Dustybones]

..... I am convinced, Google is running at least 3 different versions of the algo on different data centers and sort of rotating them.

I couldn't agree more Linda. That very thing has been crossing into my brain. Tucson for Orthodontists has been Fluctuating since early July. Lots of rotation of positions and this past Friday switched to a 3 pack. What is interesting about this latest Algo update is all the sites that we had drop out of the pack (4), searching "Orthodontist Near Me" brings up the old pack display before the update. I know this has been covered here and on other forums. This has been pretty consistent. My other thought is that Google is working on cleaning up Maps since those fake NSA listings were created and made national news. Maybe a Maps shake up coming? Its a free for all in MM and it drives me nuts. Sorry if this is off topic. My brother just sent me some of his fresh roasted coffee and I went a little nuts this morning.

 

[Louis Nava]

I couldn't agree more Linda. That very thing has been crossing into my brain. Tucson for Orthodontists has been Fluctuating since early July. Lots of rotation of positions and this past Friday switched to a 3 pack. What is interesting about this latest Algo update is all the sites that we had drop out of the pack (4), searching "Orthodontist Near Me" brings up the old pack display before the update. I know this has been covered here and on other forums. This has been pretty consistent. My other thought is that Google is working on cleaning up Maps since those fake NSA listings were created and made national news. Maybe a Maps shake up coming? Its a free for all in MM and it drives me nuts. Sorry if this is off topic. My brother just sent me some of his fresh roasted coffee and I went a little nuts this morning.

Yeah there's been a map cleanup since 2012 but you're right the map is becoming more enriched as we move along. When Google pours more money into a project then you know something major is going to happen. It's a beautiful thing.

 

[Linda Buquet]

See update 8/26 above. More changes.

But in the process of investigating, I discovered something important. A Pigeon revelation of sorts!

Working on a new post about it.

 

[Louis Nava]

See update 8/26 above. More changes.

But in the process of investigating, I discovered something important. A Pigeon revelation of sorts!

Working on a new post about it.

Chrome was also weird when the knowledge graph didn't display images and Business View tours a few different times today. Off and on today. Fine in Firefox though.

 

[Linda Buquet]

See this new monster post that explains a lot of what you see in my top post.

<a href="http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/21886-pigeon-analysis-new-insights-about-crazy-google.html">Pigeon Analysis - New Insights about this Crazy Google Local Algo & the Constant Flux</a>

 

[Linda Buquet]

Don't worry I have not given up on this project and continue to check the SERPs almost every day.

There has been continuous movement, but pretty much the same players, just different order, so not much to report UNTIL TODAY!

Please see the 9/24 report above as there have been radical changes.

 

[HurricaneK8]

Any reports of seeing it in Google.ca yet?

I saw one that made me suspect it might have, as the results have changed fairly drastically... but then I saw the "Business listings distributed by Yellowpages" show up at the bottom of the Maps results, which usually pulls up crappy results anyways.

Here's the info: The search was for "Cosmetic Dentist Waterloo" and is now showing 3 practicioner listings, with websites that never ranked before and don't rank organically on the first page... in fact only techtowndentistry.com ranks organically and in the local pack.

---------- Post Merged at 01:23 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 01:18 PM ----------

I also haven't seen a one-box as bad as this in a while:
https://www.google.ca/?gws_rd=ssl#q=waterloo+cosmetic+dentistry

 

[Linda Buquet]

No Canuck Pigeon yet that I've heard of Kate.

But I expect it to start spreading any day and have heard reports in other countries that folks think is Pigeon but I have not investigated.

I'll check your example later when I can because I have a way to kinda sorta see if it might be Pigeon.

But if Pigeon had hit Canada I think Colan, Joy, Darren and others would be all over the news with it.

 

[HurricaneK8]

I'm still seeing local packs for real estate terms, so probably not full blown Pigeon yet-- It could be testing on specific terms or just good old Yellowpages spreading their crappy results.

 

[Linda Buquet]

SAME DAY - DIFFERENT RESULT! Think this Pigeon is bipolar!

ROUND# TWO - This is getting crazy!
Tons more changes. Compare the 9/24 SERPs above.

If Pigeon does not come home to roost soon, Linda is taking a vacation at the looney bin! This is just really pretty crazy!

Head spinning...

 

[Linda Buquet]

Oh and that trick where I was able to refresh and see different datacenters???

Google fixed my wagon. Stopped working. She pulled the plug on that.

I can't share anything with you guys any more!

 

[bczubiak]

R.I.P. Ol' trick wagon! You must surely have another trick up your sleeve!

 

[Louis Nava]

Thinking out loud here...

I am curious about the SEO change logs of those businesses.

Couldn't those businesses have worked on their listings or change something that would positively or negatively impact their business?

I am not saying it's the reason for the flux but it's been 2 months and would suspect that these businesses would've reacted instead of just stand still.

Also, when I search I get different results than those posted here.

I think the quality of the content is a major factor as I have seen examples of those who just focus on content being in the A spot in local and 1 in organic.

Wouldn't it be awesome if this type of shuffling from the SERPs was the actual behavior from this point forward? This would change the SEO game big time!