Recent Google Updates Effecting Snack Pack Ranking

Looks like Google’s been at it again, secretly sliding in a couple more algorithm updates. It’s at times like this that businesses which have outsourced their search engine optimization to local SEO experts, breathe a sigh of relief, knowing the consequences will be taken care of for them.

If it feels as if there are more Google Updates than ever before, you’re probably right. By its own admission, Google makes around 500-600 algorithm changes every year – and those are the ones they tell us about!

Should these updates concern you? If you have a website, yes they should. Every change Google makes effects your SEO is some way.

Has Your Site Ranking Changed?

An obvious giveaway when a change has been made is that your site suddenly ranks higher or lower for no obvious reason – something you may have noticed during September.

We believe two updates were carried out, one affecting core web search, the other local rankings.

Google has confirmed that it updated its Penguin algorithm, following “a period of development and testing”. First launched in 2012, Penguin has just become part of Google’s core algorithm.

Penguin Now On Real-Time

So what does that mean? The biggest change is that Penguin is now real-time, as opposed to periodic. Previously it had to be refreshed to reflect site improvements or launches.

Google says that Penguin also now devalues spam, “by adjusting ranking based on spam signals, rather than affecting ranking of the whole site”. This is a positive.

Penguin is effectively a filter used by Google to catch sites considered “spammy”. The sites are penalized for this. The problem was that even when the sites made changes and improved, they would continue to be penalized until Penguin refreshed again. as the last Penguin update was in October 2014, that’s been a long wait for some sites!

Watch Out For The Possum

The other likely update affected local rankings and has been nicknamed Possum. It seems Possum is a much trickier beast than Penguin, and the main cause of all the fluctuations we’ve been seeing. However, it could prove to be extremely beneficial to businesses located outside of city centres, giving them a far better chance of making Google’s Snack Pack.

The update – rumoured to be the biggest change to Local Search since 2014 – has placed major importance on a user’s physical location, so it is crucial that your business’s searcher location is set to the town, city of region you actually want to target.

Keywords Now Even More Important

Google also appears to be filtering similar and identical addresses, and this could cause problems for some businesses. Let’s say one building is home to two separate solicitor’s offices. When you search for solicitors in that location, only one is now likely to appear in the Snack Pack, even though they are different practices. As a result, the use of specific keywords will now be even more important for businesses to be found.

In addition, Possum also appears to have had a general nibble at keywords, with ranking fluctuations resulting. So again, the focus is on improving your keyword search.

If these latest Google Updates have affected your ranking and you need help, it is recommended you contact your local SEO experts – Suncoast Web Solutions – immediately.

A Word From Our Customers

    
 
 
         
   Dean Hore 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We've been using Suncoast Web Solutions for approximately 20 years now. The service we've received over that time has been second to none. Neil and his team have at all times, assisted us as we expanded, nothing was a problem, and always done in a very timely manner. I couldn't recommend them any high enough.
  
 
        
   Tomohiro Akutsu 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Exceptional IT Expertise & Business Support Neil at Suncoast Web Solutions is truly outstanding. As someone with an IT background myself, I can confidently say that Neil’s depth of technical knowledge is on another level. His decades of experience shine through in every piece of advice he gives—always accurate, relevant, and tailored to the situation. What makes Neil stand out isn’t just his IT skills, but his ability to offer strategic business support through a technical lens. He understands what’s actually useful for your business and helps you move forward with clarity and confidence. If you're looking for trustworthy, expert support from someone who genuinely cares about your success, Neil and Suncoast Web Solutions are the team you can count on. I highly recommend them.
  
 
        
   mike whittingham 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Andrew and Neal of Suncoast Web Solutions have looked after our Website for the past decade,The service and knowledge is second to none.They have designed and developed our website to help our business grow with excellant results.
  
 
        
   Haley R 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Cannot speak highly enough of Andrew and Neil at Suncoast Web Solutions. Andrew espscially has been nothing but caring, patient and polite. We've had bad past experiences and these guys have turned everything around, couldn't be happier. Very trustworthy, which is hard to find these days, and worth every dollar spent. Finally feel like we're being looked after and our website and traffic to it hasn't been better! Would highly recommend these guys to anyone.. they've been in business a long time and you can see why!
  
 
        
   Megilz 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Andrew & Neil have been incredibly helpful. They both played a key role in developing the website for the business I currently work for, & the results exceeded our expectations! Without a doubt, this is the best web design company I’ve had the pleasure of working with. They are so understanding & attentive to detail. They give great advice & recommendations & listen to my ideas/concerns. Thanks guys, appreciate everything you do! 🙂👍
  
 
        
   Kane Townsend 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Neil and his team at Suncoast Web solutions were great to deal with. They definitely know their stuff when it comes to web designs. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a professional online presence.
  
 
        
   Custom Pool Cues 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I didn't quite understand the design process at first, so a little early communication would have helped that & it was lengthy however the end result was a great looking perfect functioning website that finished up with a meeting about the site with training.
  
 
        
   Keely White 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I cannot say enough great things about Suncoast Web Solutions! Neil and the team are always there to help and I always know I can trust them. They are so knowledgeable and experienced in all things website, digital marketing and hosting - we highly recommend them to anyone. 5 Stars!
  
 
        
   Chad Monroe 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Neil and the team at Suncoast Web Solutions have looked after and hosted our website for over 12 years now and their advice and services have been invaluable to our business. They have overcome technical issues to deliver the web features we desired. They assisted us to be involved in managing our website proactively ourselves, however if we got out of our depth they would jump in and take over to ensure everything was done correctly. I would highly recommend Suncoast Web Solutions for your web needs.
  
 
  
 
  
 
   Google rating score: 4.8 of 5, based on 34 reviews

Dean Hore

We've been using Suncoast Web Solutions for approximately 20 years now. The service we've received over that time has been second to none. Neil and his team have at all times, assisted us as we expanded, nothing was a problem, and always done in a very timely manner. I couldn't recommend them any high enough.

Tomohiro Akutsu

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Exceptional IT Expertise & Business Support Neil at Suncoast Web Solutions is truly outstanding. As someone with an IT background myself, I can confidently say that Neil’s depth of technical knowledge is on another level. His decades of experience shine through in every piece of advice he gives—always accurate, relevant, and tailored to the situation. What makes Neil stand out isn’t just his IT skills, but his ability to offer strategic business support through a technical lens. He understands what’s actually useful for your business and helps you move forward with clarity and confidence. If you're looking for trustworthy, expert support from someone who genuinely cares about your success, Neil and Suncoast Web Solutions are the team you can count on. I highly recommend them.

mike whittingham

Andrew and Neal of Suncoast Web Solutions have looked after our Website for the past decade,The service and knowledge is second to none.They have designed and developed our website to help our business grow with excellant results.

Haley R

Cannot speak highly enough of Andrew and Neil at Suncoast Web Solutions. Andrew espscially has been nothing but caring, patient and polite. We've had bad past experiences and these guys have turned everything around, couldn't be happier. Very trustworthy, which is hard to find these days, and worth every dollar spent. Finally feel like we're being looked after and our website and traffic to it hasn't been better! Would highly recommend these guys to anyone.. they've been in business a long time and you can see why!

Megilz

Andrew & Neil have been incredibly helpful. They both played a key role in developing the website for the business I currently work for, & the results exceeded our expectations! Without a doubt, this is the best web design company I’ve had the pleasure of working with. They are so understanding & attentive to detail. They give great advice & recommendations & listen to my ideas/concerns. Thanks guys, appreciate everything you do! 🙂👍

Kane Townsend

Neil and his team at Suncoast Web solutions were great to deal with. They definitely know their stuff when it comes to web designs. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a professional online presence.

Custom Pool Cues

I didn't quite understand the design process at first, so a little early communication would have helped that & it was lengthy however the end result was a great looking perfect functioning website that finished up with a meeting about the site with training.

Keely White

I cannot say enough great things about Suncoast Web Solutions! Neil and the team are always there to help and I always know I can trust them. They are so knowledgeable and experienced in all things website, digital marketing and hosting - we highly recommend them to anyone. 5 Stars!

Chad Monroe

Neil and the team at Suncoast Web Solutions have looked after and hosted our website for over 12 years now and their advice and services have been invaluable to our business. They have overcome technical issues to deliver the web features we desired. They assisted us to be involved in managing our website proactively ourselves, however if we got out of our depth they would jump in and take over to ensure everything was done correctly. I would highly recommend Suncoast Web Solutions for your web needs.