BrightLocal introduced a new tool Local RankFlux, which tracks daily changes in Google’s local search results and allows you to identify possible updates to the local search algorithm.
While most trackers track fluctuations in Google’s organic output, the BrightLocal tool focuses on the local segment — the results that are displayed in the local output block (the so-called “Three-Pack”).
Overall, LocalRankFlux tracks 28 keywords by 26
industries in 20 cities. In total, these are 14 560 keywords (560 per vertical).
What cities are included in the sample, the company did not specify. BrightLocal has offices in four countries: the United States, Britain, Ukraine and the Philippines.
How Local RankFlux Works
Changes in the top of the issue (1-2 items) are assigned a larger
weight than changes in lower positions (19-20).
As for the values of the final indicator, estimates of 0-3 mean that there were no significant changes in the issuance (given that small fluctuations constantly occur in the SERP, and this is a natural process). Values 3-6 indicate small changes in the algorithm, and 6-10 already suggest updating the local algorithm.
So, the jump recorded around August 8 in the diagram below indicates a significant change in the ranking algorithm:
If desired, webmasters can subscribe to send email alerts about changes in the issuance.
The Local RankFlux tool is completely free and available to all comers the link. You can read more about the principles of its work. here.