Back to blog
Google has now confirmed the numerous reports of a local search update that began in early November. The update is related to Google “making use of neural matching as part of the process of generating local search results,” Google said via the @SearchLiason twitter account.

The name, “Nov. 2019 Local Search Update” follows the naming convention Google began using last year for Google core search algorithm updates.
 

 
1. THE CONFIRMATION 

Google confirmed it began using neural matching for local search results and subsequent local ranking changes at 12:10 PM ET Monday.
 
2. WHAT IT MEANS

Neural matching allows Google to better understand when users’ queries have local search intent even when the business name or description aren’t included.
 
There are no required changes a business needs to make as a result of this update. Google directs businesses to the basic local ranking help document published long ago.
 
3. GLOBAL RELEASE

Google posted an update saying “this was a global launch covering countries and languages worldwide.” So this impacted not just U.S. regions but globally, in all countries and languages that Google is available in.
 
4. NEURAL MATCHING AT GOOGLE

Google said it began using neural matching in search back in 2018 to better understand queries. Similar to BERT and RankBrain algorithms, neural matching helps Google improve query mapping to results, though it differs in its function. Google’s Danny Sullivan has referred to neural matching as “a super synonym system.” See Google’s neural matching versus RankBrain: How Google uses each in search for more details.
 
5. WHY WE CARE

We now have clear evidence that it is not just your imagination or your data showing ranking changes with the local search results. Google is saying it now uses neural matching to better understand local queries and thus, Google may show different local results because of it. Last year, Sullivan said neural matching was impacting 30% of queries. That’s surely increased with the roll-out of it to local queries.
 
Google’s advice here remains the same: relevance, prominence and distance are the keys to ranking well in local. It’s just that Google’s understanding of relevance has now expanded with neural matching.

SOURCE: SEARCH ENGINE LAND



Tranining Program

DMIpro-EN.png

The CDMP is the best training program in Digital Marketing
with DMI’s Global Standards in Digital Marketing Training. This program
will transform Marketers into Professional Digital Marketers, and
develop a new generation of Marketers for the Digital Age.


OPENING DATE
April 11th, 2020 in Hanoi
April 18th, 2020 in HCMC


For more information, please CLICK HERE
 

 

You define your career path.
We will support the journey!
BE ONE OF THE FIRST
VIETNAMESE MARKETERS TO GAIN
THE DMI’S CDMP CERTIFICATION & JOIN THE
GLOBAL DIGITAL MARKETERS COMMUNITY

Under the guidance of Global Advisory Champions including

go top
Back
Chat với chúng tôi
Messenger