Google Possum Algorithm Update Impact on Your Business

The Google Possum algorithm update can have a significant impact on your business, especially if you're a local business owner. This update was designed to filter out low-quality local search results.

In 2013, the update first rolled out, and it's been a game-changer for local SEO ever since. The update aimed to separate high-quality local results from low-quality ones, improving the user experience.

Businesses with multiple locations were particularly affected by the update. Google's algorithm now filters out duplicate listings, making it harder for businesses with multiple locations to appear in search results.

Local businesses without a strong online presence may struggle to compete with larger companies after the Possum update.

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Google Possum is an update to the Google search algorithm launched in September 2016. It mainly affects local search results.

Google Possum filters local search results and determines what will appear in the 3-pack list. This means that some local businesses may not always appear for the same query.

The first ideas about implementing such an algorithm started as early as 2013. Google had even filed a patent for reverse-engineering spam detection algorithms that year.

Google Possum is a system that assigns spam scores to business listings to flag or filter out spammy or non-existent businesses. This helps prevent spam from ranking in local business listings.

Google Possum decides when businesses will appear in local search results and removes certain businesses from local search results.

A fresh viewpoint: Google Documents for Business

The Google Possum update has had a significant impact on local search results. It acts mainly on local search, filtering results and determining what will appear in the 3-pack list.

Many local businesses may not always appear for the same query due to the Possum update. This is because the update removes certain businesses from local search results, making it harder for them to rank.

The update aims to vary local search results and prevent spam. It assigns spam scores to business listings to flag or filter out spammy or non-existent businesses.

Local businesses that share the same address or have similar links may be affected by the update. This can lead to some businesses being deranked in search results.

The update also takes into account the physical location of the searcher. Results are now more varied depending on the location of the user who entered the query.

Here are some key effects of the Google Possum update:

The update has also increased the sensitivity of searcher proximity, making it more important for businesses to be located close to the searcher's location.

If you're wondering whether you've been affected by the Google Possum algorithm update, there are a few signs to look out for. Your Google My Business listing may have disappeared on September 1, 2016, or if your business shares a category with another business in the same building, you may notice your listing no longer appears in search results.

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To check if you're affected, try searching on your typical keyword phrase and zooming in on the cards next to the local search tool. If your listing reappears, it's likely you're hit with the effects of the Possum filter.

Here are some key scenarios that may indicate you've been affected:

If you notice any of these signs, it's worth taking a closer look at your local SEO parameters to see how the Possum update may have impacted your business.

The user's location has become a crucial factor in local search results since the Google Possum update. Google now takes into account the user's location when displaying search results, making them vary depending on the location.

This means that for the same search query, results can be different from one location to another. I've seen this firsthand, where a business's phone number and domain name were once the main ranking factors, but now location address plays a significant role.

Businesses with the same domain name have little chance of ranking, but with the Possum update, Google is increasingly using location address to influence search results.

Recommended read: How Does the Google Search Algorithm Work

The Google algorithm changes can be scary, but with some knowledge and preparation, you can stay safe.

Google confirms major core algorithm updates only a few times a year, but they happen daily, with small changes that might affect search engine results pages (SERPs).

You can guess if an update has taken place by looking at the keyword fluctuation graph in Rank Tracker's SERP Analysis.

An average daily fluctuation is about 6.3%. Red spikes indicate that the SERP has changed significantly on that day, probably because of some algorithmic updates.

Google Webmasters advise focusing on quality content that brings real value to users.

Sites should provide original, up-to-date high-quality content, and our survey among SEO experts revealed that people do nothing but monitor ranking stats after a core update.

To stay safe, monitor your site's link profile for low-quality links with SpyGlass backlink checker.

For more insights, see: How Do You Get Notifications for Google Drive Updates

To stay safe with Google's algorithm updates, including the Possum update, you should regularly check your site's link profile for low-quality links with a backlink checker like SpyGlass.

Low-quality links can harm your rankings, so it's essential to address them promptly. If you notice a massive flow of low-quality backlinks, ask the webmasters of the linking domains to take them down.

Disavowed links won't harm your rankings, so use the disavow tool to tell Google not to consider these links if the linking site owners keep silent.

Try to use white-hat link building practices only, as they are still legal and actionable.

Take care of your outbound links as well, and mark sponsored content or affiliate links with the rel="sponsored" attribute to avoid any issues.

An average daily fluctuation in SERP is about 6.3%, but red spikes indicate significant changes, possibly due to algorithmic updates.

To monitor ranking stats, use tools like Rank Tracker's SERP Analysis, which can help you identify changes in your site's ranking.

Focus on providing original, up-to-date high-quality content that brings real value to users, as advised by Google Webmasters.

By following these tips, you can ensure your site stays safe and continues to perform well in search engine rankings.

Explore further: Serp Google

The Google Possum update was launched on September 1, 2016, and its main goal is to deliver better, more diverse results based on the searcher's location and the business' address.

Google Possum only affects local search results, filtering out spammy or non-existent businesses that try to rank in the results of local business listings. It assigns spam scores to business listings to flag or filter out these types of businesses.

Possum's algorithm considers the physical location of the searcher and the phrasing of the query, returning more varied results. This means that even close variations of a query can produce different results.

Here are some key factors that affect local search results after the Possum update:

The Possum Update was launched on September 1, 2016, with the goal of delivering better, more diverse results based on the searcher's location and the business' address.

It's a system that assigns spam scores to business listings to flag or filter out spammy or non-existent businesses that try to rank in the results of local business listings.

Google Possum decides when businesses will appear in local search results and removes certain businesses from local search results, resulting in some local businesses not always appearing for the same query.

This update mainly affects local search, filtering the local search results and determining what will appear in the 3-pack list.

Businesses that share a physical address with another business of a similar kind may now be deranked in the search results.

Here are some key factors that can affect a business's ranking after the Possum update:

The Possum update also gave a boost to businesses that are outside the physical city area, meaning they are more likely to appear in local search results even if they're not physically located in the city they're targeting.

Google rolled out a major update on December 1, 2021, related to product reviews in English.

This update is the latest in a series of updates since April, and it's promised to take place within three weeks.

The update may impact how product reviews rank in search engines, which could be a concern for sites with numerous low-quality thin-content reviews.

This could lead to changes in how businesses approach product reviews, potentially affecting their online presence.