A few days ago Google launched a major new update affecting local search. The update aims to increase relevancy and accuracy of search results in both traditional web search and on Google maps.

The update was released without a name, so SearchEngineLand gave it the name Pigeon - reflecting the fact that pigeons use local information to find their way home, and also continuing the previous trend of Panda and Pengion of using animals beginning with the letter 'p' in google ranking update naming schemes.

This update is very good news for businesses that have been using local search phrases as the focus of their SEO, as it makes non local sites less likely to push your own site down in the search results.