--- title: "Authority: The Link to Local SEO Success" description: By Peter Prestipino, Editor-In-Chief When Google released its Pigeon update in late 2014, few knew... image: https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/gradient-regular-logo-mark-Jan-23-2023-12-20-27-5511-AM-Apr-10-2023-01-34-06-9281-PM-Apr-25-2023-03-30-02-1810-AM-May-01-2023-09-31-17-7191-PM.png --- [Log In](https://www.websitemagazine.com/_hcms/mem/login) [Subscribe](https://websitemagazine.tradepub.com/free/w_webk05/prgm.cgi) [![Website Magazine Logo](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/gradient-regular@3x-1.png?width=586&height=145&name=gradient-regular@3x-1.png "Website Magazine Logo")](http://Website%20Services,%20Inc.) - [About](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about) - [FAQs](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/faq) - [Advertise](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/advertise) - [Editorial Staff](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/editorial-publishing-staff) - [Resources](https://websitemagazine.tradepub.com) - [Newsletter](https://www.websitemagazine.com/newsletter-sign-up) - More - [Contact Us](https://www.websitemagazine.com/contact) [Log In](https://www.websitemagazine.com/_hcms/mem/login) [Subscribe](https://websitemagazine.tradepub.com/free/w_webk05/prgm.cgi) Search - [Latest](https://www.websitemagazine.com) - [Design](https://www.websitemagazine.com/web-design) - [Development](https://www.websitemagazine.com/web-development) - [SEO](https://www.websitemagazine.com/seo) - [Ecommerce](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce) - [Content](https://www.websitemagazine.com/content) - [Marketing](https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing) - [Advertising](https://www.websitemagazine.com/advertising) - [Email](https://www.websitemagazine.com/email) - [Infographics](https://www.websitemagazine.com/infographics) - [View All Topics](https://www.websitemagazine.com/channels) # Authority: The Link to Local SEO Success ![Peter Devereaux](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Peter_Devereaux.png) [by Peter Devereaux](https://www.websitemagazine.com/seo/author/peter-devereaux) 02 Oct, 2015 - - - [mailto:?Body=https://www.websitemagazine.com/seo/authority-the-link-to-local-seo-success](mailto:?Body=https://www.websitemagazine.com/seo/authority-the-link-to-local-seo-success) - Link Copied! ![Authority: The Link to Local SEO Success](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/gradient-regular-logo-mark-Jan-23-2023-12-20-27-5511-AM-Apr-10-2023-01-34-06-9281-PM-Apr-25-2023-03-30-02-1810-AM-May-01-2023-09-31-17-7191-PM.png) By Peter Prestipino, Editor-In-Chief   **When Google released its Pigeon update in late 2014, few knew just how significantly the results pages would change and ultimately how sophisticated the search engine itself would become in relation to identifying queries with local intent - but that is exactly what has happened.**   Search engine optimization (SEO) has always been a very "dynamic" practice, where changes in how the engines index and return websites and their content determine how a digital presence is optimized. This is quite evident in recent changes to the Google Local pack.   Google essentially rolled out an update in early August in how it displays local businesses within its results pages. Instead of the 7-pack of listings that most consumers and Web professionals grew accustom to since the Pigeon update, Google now only displays three local listings. And there are even more changes that SEOs would be wise to understand if local website optimization is their responsibility.   In addition to the number of listings returned, Google has also replaced the exact address with the street name only, removed phone numbers and Google+ links, and added opening and closing times. When users click on the title of a listing today, they are presented with (and redirected to) more details on that business (within a popup that is overlaid on a map along with up to 20 other listings). Only when a user clicks specifically on the website icon in the listing pack will their click end up on a website.   The good news (and what is generating the most discussion among SEOs) is that the frequency with which the 3-pack is being displayed has increased dramatically, along with local websites' visibility in the search results. Recent research from SEO Clarity, for example, revealed that the new local listing format shows in the #1 rank position 93 percent of the time, a big increase from the 25 percent of the time that the old 7-pack was shown in the first position. As it stands today, the new format seems to be the standard across nearly every keyword with local intent. Clearly, this is not the local search optimization that enterprises planned for, so what can and should they do?   --- ### Looking for Links? Start Here. Discover where to get your first 44 backlinks (many of which are local citations) at [wsm.co/44backlinks](https://www.websitemagazine.com/blog/where-to-get-your-first-44-backlinks.aspx).   Accuracy and completeness of data in Google My Business, as well as relevance and quality signals on-page (presence of name, address and phone number data) are still incredibly important to local SEO, but these factors are still not what will ensure placement in the 3-pack (at least not alone). Google has long been on a mission to localize its results (no mystery there) and there have been plenty of updates (e.g. Pigeon) to validate that claim. While traditional local SEO still works (claiming and optimizing a company's profile and ensuring more detailed information like open/close times and categories is included and updated as needed), top positions can only be achieved by establishing authority - and that means building lots of quality local links over time.   There's no shortcut to building links (e.g. it takes time), but when one knows what to spend that time doing, they'll find the rewards are that much greater. If there is a secret however, it is to focus almost exclusively on building links through active involvement in a community or with prospective audience/customers and participating in the conversations about the product provided. From sponsoring local charity events to establishing relationships with media/publishing websites in the company's area, even offering local groups discounted services, a commitment to involving a brand with the happenings of a local population is, and will likely always be, the secret to local SEO success.   Google, and any search engine for that matter, can only take cues from the Web about what's important - on a local level as much as globally. If an SEO can influence (and optimize) the authority signals sent to Google and other engines, a brand will be better off for it - particularly for local queries.   Local SEO isn't easy - even for experienced digital professionals. There is as much competition offline as on these days, but if you have the patience, work ethic and a willingness to engage in some trial and error along the way, you'll start seeing results in no time and benefit from the effort well into the future.   ![Peter Devereaux](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Peter_Devereaux.png) [Peter Devereaux](https://www.websitemagazine.com/seo/author/peter-devereaux) As the Editor-in-Chief of Website Magazine and President of Website Services, Peter has established himself as a prominent figure in the digital marketing industry. With a wealth of experience and knowledge, Peter has been a driving force in shaping the landscape of digital marketing. His leadership in creating innovative and targeted marketing campaigns has helped numerous businesses achieve their revenue growth goals. Under his direction, Website Magazine has become a trusted source of information and insights for digital marketers worldwide. As President of Website Services, Peter oversees a team of talented professionals who specialize in SEO/SEM, email marketing, social media, and digital advertising. Through his hands-on approach, he ensures that his team delivers exceptional results to their clients. With a passion for digital marketing, Peter is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends and technologies, making him a sought-after thought leader in the field. - - - - - [mailto:peter.devereaux@websitemagazine.com](mailto:peter.devereaux@websitemagazine.com) #### Popular Post ### [Core Principles of SEO ![Core Principles of SEO](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/seo-map_200x200-Jan-23-2023-12-19-44-5053-AM-1-1-1.gif)](https://www.websitemagazine.com/seo/core-principles-of-seo) ### [Is Microsoft's New Chat GPT Enabled Bing the Google Killer? ![Is Microsoft's New Chat GPT Enabled Bing the Google Killer?](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/pexels-photo-8294625-1.jpg)](https://www.websitemagazine.com/seo/is-microsofts-new-chat-gpt-enabled-bing-the-google-killer) ### [SEO vs SEM: Choosing a Sustainable Path to Long Term Success ![SEO vs SEM: Choosing a Sustainable Path to Long Term Success](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/black-and-white-people-bar-men.jpg)](https://www.websitemagazine.com/seo/seo-vs-sem) #### Subscribe to Our Newsletter! 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All Rights Reserved - [Privacy Policy](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/privacy) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Peter Devereaux", "url" : "https://www.websitemagazine.com/seo/author/peter-devereaux" }, "dateModified" : "2023-05-01T21:33:04.001Z", "datePublished" : "2015-10-02T05:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Authority: The Link to Local SEO Success", "image" : [ "https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/gradient-regular-logo-mark-Jan-23-2023-12-20-27-5511-AM-Apr-10-2023-01-34-06-9281-PM-Apr-25-2023-03-30-02-1810-AM-May-01-2023-09-31-17-7191-PM.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.websitemagazine.com/seo/authority-the-link-to-local-seo-success", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/gradient-regular@3x-1.png" }, "name" : "Website Services, Inc." } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "NewsArticle", "author" : [ { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Peter Devereaux" } ], "headline" : "Authority: The Link to Local SEO Success", "publisher" : { "name" : "Website Magazine", "url" : "https://www.websitemagazine.com/" } } ```