How To Analyze Local SEO Algorithm Update January 2025

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Jon Muranko

Jan 6, 2025, 9:13 AM

<https://www.seroundtable.com/january-2025-google-local-ranking-update-38685.html>

Forwarded thread from another channel:

Colan Nielsen

Jan 6, 2025, 9:14 AM

Seems like a big one. In fact, seems too big to be something that will last. Hoping this one reverses course in the next day or two. Thanks for sharing Jon!

Jon Muranko

Jan 6, 2025, 9:15 AM

@colan.nielsen ya, pretty crazy fluctuations

Gyi Tsakalakis

Jan 6, 2025, 9:17 AM

????crossed_fingers:

Jon Muranko

Jan 6, 2025, 9:21 AM

Has anyone heard if it was in a specific niche(s)?

Gyi Tsakalakis

Jan 6, 2025, 9:33 AM

I will attest to legal.

Jon Muranko

Jan 6, 2025, 10:34 AM

Analyzing Results: I am doing 3 different tests: 1. Manual check. 2. GEO-Grid Check (LocalDominator) 3. BrightLocal check

Jon Muranko

Jan 6, 2025, 10:37 AM

Quick Tip on using BL and manual check: On your BL report, hover over the ranking number for a KW, click on "serp page", copy the URL, use the UULE code to check manually in an incognito browswer.

Lawrence Parmisana

Jan 6, 2025, 1:31 PM

Thanks for sharing @jonmuranko!

Had a couple of GBP listings disappear from the rankings despite it being in the Top 3-5 results for a massive search grid.

Lawrence Parmisana

Jan 6, 2025, 1:32 PM

Forgot to mention the niche:

• HVAC

• Electrical

• Plumbing

Crazy weird results coming up in multiple areas.

Jon Muranko

Jan 6, 2025, 2:34 PM

at 10:26am a client ranked a 8.80 avg rank: 13x13 144 SM, no city or geo

at 3:28pm (5 hours) is now 5.63 avg rank: same grid size.

Meaning, there are some serious fluctuations happening.

Colan Nielsen

Jan 6, 2025, 2:34 PM

Most recent reports coming out indicate that it was a bug and most things should have reversed back to normal.

Jon Muranko

Jan 6, 2025, 2:35 PM

wow, that was a big bug.

Colan Nielsen

Jan 6, 2025, 2:36 PM

Right?

Lawrence Parmisana

Jan 6, 2025, 2:36 PM

Its still working its way through the map. Hoping reversals won't take a whole day to get done.

Jon Muranko

Jan 6, 2025, 3:34 PM

in 1 hour: 5.63 went to 3.45

Lawrence Parmisana

Jan 6, 2025, 4:41 PM

Sharing the data on a company located in an area with slightly dense population, that shows that it has dropped in rankings after running a test at noon locally. 2 different grid sizes

Grid Size: 15x15, 2 miles apart

12NN crawl - 20.5 avg

3PM crawl - 18.9 avg

4PM crawl - 16.2 avg

Grid Size: 15x15, .5 miles apart

12NN crawl - 20.5 avg

3PM crawl - 15.2 avg

4PM crawl - 7.3 avg

Abel Miranda

Jan 6, 2025, 5:48 PM

Thanks for sharing this @jonmuranko! An HVAC client of mine actually contacted us asking why their rankings plummeted over the weekend but our now completely back to normal. This ought to explain it

Jon Muranko

Jan 6, 2025, 5:50 PM

@abelmiranda045286 Ya, it's better to over communicate to them. Interesting that they saw it.

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How To Analyze Local SEO Algorithm Update January 2025

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