Algorithm Update

Google runs algorithm changes constantly, but most go unannounced and unnoticed. The ones SEOs track closely are broad core updates (usually a few per year, affecting many ranking signals at once and taking days to weeks to fully roll out) and targeted updates aimed at a specific problem, like the Helpful Content system or spam-focused updates. A site that drops sharply after a confirmed update rollout should first check whether the drop correlates with the specific rollout dates before assuming causation, since traffic can dip for unrelated reasons (seasonality, a technical issue, a competitor's content improving) at the same time. Google's own guidance after a core update is consistently to focus on content quality broadly rather than chase a single 'fix' — because core updates re-evaluate relative quality across the whole web, not one specific error.

Example

A site's organic traffic drops 22% during a confirmed March core-update rollout window, prompting a content-quality audit rather than a single technical fix.

Related terms

• Manual Action (Google Penalty)
• E-E-A-T
• Rank Volatility
• SEO Audit
• Helpful Content
• Organic Traffic