There was rarely a more fitting name for a Google algorithm update. Hawk literally swooped in and took everyone's local SEO by surprise.
According to Search Engine Land, the update happened on Aug. 22. It is geared toward local searches, so it doesn't have any impact on websites that do not try to reach local audiences. However, it may hint to changes that will affect every business and that are bound to happen in the near future. So, what's Hawk really about?
In a nutshell, Hawk is designed to help Google filter local organic results. Before this update, businesses in the same industry and close to each other geographically would end up filtered out as Google sometimes considered them duplicates. For instance, touristic areas that are filled with restaurants, pubs and hotels were the most affected by this.
How can something like this happen?
Well, as the saying goes, it was a road paved with good intentions. Google added this filter to ensure that one business wouldn't end up dominating its niche just by adding multiple listings and kicking out its competitors. |
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