If you actively follow the local search results on Google, the recent changes must not have missed your eyes. Experts assert that the search engine giant, Google has launched a recent update that is affecting the local search results specifically. Moreover, the search engine specialists preach that this update is primarily affecting local organic search results. Termed as ‘Hawk Update’ the recent changes are not affecting the inorganic search parameters.

What is Hawk Algorithm Update?

This is the recent update by Google which has affected the local filters primarily. The name is derived from a powerful member of the ecosystem- hawk, whose primary job is to eat Possums. For the uninitiated, Possum was the name of the filter that Google launched the previous year. Because Google is widely known for its frequently changing updates and policies, there is no surprise that it has come up with a recent addition now. The search engine king also says that there aren’t major changes involved and this is the very reason that the implementation of the Hawk update was not announced or notified by Google. It is, however, the responsibility of the SEO keepers and webmasters to check for any such changes.

Understanding the functions:

To start with, let us first understand the functionality of local search result filters. Google deployed bots work on the search engine result listing with the aim of narrowing down the listing of the local search results with those that already hold a higher rank. This is done by picking the most relevant listing from any group and then filtering rest of the entries. This procedure is also followed by bots to find out plagiarized content over the internet. The filters work on each and every pages and check those having duplicate content while ranking unique and original pages with a higher ranking.

The change in the function of local search filters:

Google has long been using filters to ensure a company with multiple listing that also has good ranking does not dominate the search results. Google launched the Possum algorithm last year which affected the way filters work. In this new update, the search engine filters picked listing that was geographically close to one another to assess the ranking. This clearly meant that any business in your proximity having higher listing than you have greater chances of getting the top ranks. After this update, a business got exposed to a higher risk of getting bumped by a competitor who is sitting in the same building or in the same locality.

This created a lot of issues and did not serve to the intended purpose of Google. Thus, to overcome the issue, Google came up with another update on August, namely the Hawk Update. With this update, the filters are no more monitoring businesses that are close to each other.

Does Hawk Update affect my website?

Not to worry, the Hawk Update did not affect all the websites. The only changes are that now a business in the same locality have higher chances to appear in the same SERPs. But, Google hasn’t yet removed the filters completely. There are still some websites that do not appear in local search engine results because they have a competitor in the local area with higher listing than them.

What makes Hawk update special?

Having no negative outcomes is one of the most special features of the Hawk Update. With this update, businesses in the same locality or geographical area have the opportunity to bid for better ranking. The filter will not consider a business only on the basis of its proximity with a competitor with higher listings.

It is important to note that Hawk Update affects the local search results only. Creating a local SEO campaign can help you in securing top ranks in the SERPs.