An informal SEO-industry nickname used in historical discussions of changes to Google’s local search results.
The name is a shorthand used by practitioners, not a current Google product, setting or diagnostic status. Treat descriptions of the supposed update’s exact mechanics as interpretations unless they are supported by authoritative evidence.
For a business, a change in map visibility should be investigated with the actual query and search location recorded. Results can vary across nearby locations, and a single screenshot does not establish that the business has disappeared for all customers.
Use current Google Business Profile guidance for actions within your control. Accurate business information and a clear understanding of relevance, distance and prominence provide a more useful starting point than trying to reverse an unofficial historical formula.
Takeaway: Diagnose current map visibility using consistent observations and accurate business information, not an unexplained “Possum penalty” label.
Example
A business appears for one neighborhood search but not another. The team records the query and location for both checks and reviews profile accuracy instead of creating duplicate listings to force wider visibility.
What to check
Separate observed result changes from claims about hidden filters. Never use an invented address or duplicate profile as a supposed algorithm workaround.
For more detail, see Google Business Profile ranking guidance.