Definition
Google Pigeon is a major algorithm update deployed on July 24, 2014 (in the United States, then extended to other countries). Its primary goal was to improve the accuracy and relevance of local search results by bringing local ranking criteria closer to traditional organic ranking criteria. Pigeon modified Local Pack results, Google Maps, and organic results for locally-intended queries. It gave more importance to geographic proximity signals, customer reviews, and local citations (NAP). Pigeon also strengthened the visibility of local directories like Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Yellow Pages in the SERPs.
Key Points
- Deployed on July 24, 2014, improving local search results
- Alignment of local and organic ranking criteria
- Reinforced importance of proximity, reviews, and NAP citations
Practical Examples
Geolocation accuracy
A user searching for 'dentist' in a specific neighborhood now sees precisely localized results in their area, whereas before Pigeon, results covered a broader geographic zone.
Local directory visibility
Sites like Yellow Pages, Yelp, and TripAdvisor gained visibility in organic results for local queries, sometimes taking positions previously held by individual business websites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ensure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information is consistent everywhere, optimize your Google Business Profile, collect customer reviews, create relevant local content, and obtain backlinks from authoritative local sources.
No, Pigeon complemented Venice. Venice (2012) integrated geolocation into organic results, while Pigeon (2014) refined local result accuracy and brought local and organic algorithms closer together. Both updates coexist in the current algorithm.
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Last updated: 2026-02-07