Looking at the Google algorithm update history for local search, how heavily does proximity still outweigh relevance for competitive service-area businesses?
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Fan-out diagram
The searches the AI actually ran for this prompt.
SEED QUERY
Looking at the Google algorithm update history for local search, how heavily does proximity still outweigh relevance for competitive service-area businesses?
2 real searches · 1 real-search pass
Google local search ranking algorithm update history proximity relevance service area businesses distance relevance prominence official documentation 2026Google ↗
OBSERVEDReason
Google local ranking updates Vicinity update proximity distance local search December 2021 Possum proximity relevance service area businessesGoogle ↗
OBSERVEDReason
Badge and edge weight = share of passes that produced the query. Hover a query for its intent and routing format.
Query classes
Google's semantic query class for every sub-query: what kind of answer each search is after, simulated vs real.
ChatGPT real searches (2)
Classes come from the query-classifier (a local Laya model). 2 of 2 calls are low-confidence (under 50%) — hover a query in the table to see its confidence.
Searches and sources
ChatGPT2 real searches · gpt-6
Google local search ranking algorithm update history proximity relevance service area businesses distance relevance prominence official documentation 2026 Google ↗
Google local ranking updates Vicinity update proximity distance local search December 2021 Possum proximity relevance service area businesses Google ↗
- The Vicinity Update: What You Need to Know About Google's Largest Local Algorithm Update in 5 Years · sterlingsky.ca
- Google Confirms Update To Local Search Results · searchenginejournal.com
- Explaining Possum · ppc.land
- Google updates local ranking documentation · searchengineland.com
- Tips to improve your local ranking on Google · support.google.com
- Poll Suggests Multi-location Businesses Hardest Hit by Vicinity Update · brightlocal.com
- Vicinity Update & GBP Name Spam: What Was the Real Impact? · brightlocal.com
- The proximity paradox: Beating local SEO’s distance bias · searchengineland.com
- Manage your service areas for service-area & hybrid businesses · support.google.com
- Guidelines for representing your business on Google · support.google.com
- Google: Proximity Not A Factor For Local Service Ads Rankings · searchenginejournal.com
Queries
2 queries · click a column to sort
| Query / type | Search | Intent | Query class | Routing format | Cluster | Freq ↓ | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Google local search ranking algorithm update history proximity relevance service area businesses distance relevance prominence official documentation 2026 OBSERVED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | — | Reason | — | — | 1x of 1 | |
Google local ranking updates Vicinity update proximity distance local search December 2021 Possum proximity relevance service area businesses OBSERVED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | — | Reason | — | — | 1x of 1 |