Looks like we got a big update going on, this one in the Google local pack results. The local SEO community is going pretty hot around these changes saying the new local results found in the local pack are mostly different. Some are saying this is the biggest change in a long time to the local rankings.
The most active discussion is in the Local Search Forums where most of the local SEO experts hang out these days. Here are some comments from these local SEOs:
I'm seeing a lot of ranking changes in the Local Pack here in the Netherlands on numerous of keywords I'm tracking. Anyone else who's seeing a lot of movement?
It looks like the spam algorithm refreshed.
I've only checked one pack so far but I've been watching Seattle Chiropractor for years and today there are all kinds of Chiros I've never seen before in the 3 pack and Finder!
I'm also seeing a lot of Locksmiths pages being suspended.
Im seeing huge swings and many new faces in the Local Pack this morning. Must be a big update going on.
So it can be a core local ranking change or it can be Google cleaning up the spam in the local index, which then feels like a lot of changes because the spam no longer is ranking as well in local.
Google has not commented on these changes and I doubt they will.
Have you seen major local changes in your niche?
Forum discussion at Local Search Forums.
