There was significant chatter in the SEO community and volatility in third-party Google Search tracking tools over Memorial Day weekend, suggesting a possible Google Search ranking update. Although it's unlikely Google pushed an algorithmic change during the holiday, the unusual traffic patterns have raised questions.
Recent Google Ranking Volatility
- May 22nd, May 16th, May 9th, May 3rd, and April 25th: Notable dates with observed ranking volatility.
- March 2024 Core Update: Started on March 5th and ended on April 19th, spanning 45 days.
SEO Community Chatter
- WebmasterWorld: Users reported significant drops in traffic, unusual fluctuations, and some increases. Examples include:
- A 70% drop in homepage traffic.
- A UK hotel site experiencing inconsistent traffic.
- Mixed reports of traffic spikes and declines, with some attributing changes to new viral content or non-Google sources.
Observations from Experts
- Glenn Gabe: Noted confirmed surges in rankings on May 26th, adding to the list of volatile dates post-March core update.
- Dinesh Singh: Reported fluctuations in search results in India.
Google Tracking Tools
Several tools indicated heightened Google ranking volatility over the past week:
- Semrush
- SimilarWeb
- Advanced Web Rankings
- Mozcast
- SERPmetrics
- Accuranker
- Mangools
- Wincher
- SERPstat
- Cognitive SEO
- Algoroo
Conclusion
The SEO community has observed significant volatility and unusual traffic patterns over Memorial Day weekend, raising questions about a potential Google Search ranking update.
