What is meant Possum Update

[Rohit08]

Can anyone list out the details about possum update which was recently rolled out by Google, I like to get the core aim of this algorithmic update.

[c-gun21000]

Possum has nothing to do with live indexing. This update is related to local SEO, in short word business had problem to rank for city if they fall of its borders. Now with this update they rank like they are inside city borders equally with competition from that city.

Here is article awesome article on that theme:
http://searchengineland.com/everything-need-know-googles-possum-algorithm-update-258900

[pablohunt2812]

You may have heard of Google’s Panda algorithm update, its Penguin update and its Hummingbird update. Now it’s time to learn about its Possum update. That’s the name search engine optimization experts gave to Google latest revision to its all-important search engine algorithm.

Google did not announce the adjustment. SEO pros first noticed a massive change in local and map results, what they call the 3-pack and Local Finder, on Sept. 1 and closely scrutinized search results over following weeks. Some call it the most significant change to local search results since Pigeon in 2014.

The Importance of Locations

Specifically, businesses that fall outside the physical city limits saw a huge spike in rankings. Previously, businesses located just outside a city’s limits had extreme difficulty appearing in local search results – a source of consternation for businesses, their marketers and SEO consultants. Even if businesses listed the city on their mailing addresses and their customers probably thought of them as located in the city, Google’s results ignored them if they were located in a different census-designated place. Most viewed this as a geographic technicality, but not Google.

[RH-Calvin]

Google Possum is an algorithm change in local search results. The main purpose of the update was to diversify the local results and also prevent spam from ranking as well.

[saravjeet]

With Google rolling out change after change this September, the month was pretty busy for SEO folks. First, many SEOs saw major shifts around September 1st — this has been dubbed the Possum Update, and reports are that both organic results and local pack URLs moved substantially

[onehalf]

Google’s latest algorithm update is a change to local search, with seemingly positive results for local businesses and for users. The update has put a lot more emphasis on the user’s location, which means users are getting more accurate results. Google’s filters for local search and organic search are evolving and part of this change means the two filters are now working more independently from one another. Below are the highlights of Google Possum:
*Location and affiliation
Google is now filtering based on address and affiliation. For businesses that fall outside city limits, ranking for keywords that included that city name was difficult. Since Possum, these businesses have seen a huge spike in rankings. The location of the user
*The location of the user
If you’re searching from a different physical location other than that of the business, you’re likely going to encounter a completely different result. As a general rule of Possum: the further the distance, the lower the ranking.
*Variations in keywords matter
Slight variations between keywords are having a significant effect on results. Abbreviations and changes in phrase, for example, can alter SERPs, indicating Google is getting smarter and more specific.
*Separation between local and organic search
Local and organic search are drifting apart with the latest update.

[pablohunt2812]

Some of you may have already noticed something different about the results your search engine has been producing, and if you think your business listing has disappeared, never fear: a simple update may be the culprit. At the end of September, Google released a major update to their search algorithm called “Possum” that affects local search rankings in a major way. Find out what this means for your local business online.