Google confirms it releases smaller, unannounced core updates

Google added a new section to its core updates search developer documentation confirming it sometimes rolls out smaller, unannounced core updates. Google said this before, but now it’s stated explicitly in the official search documentation.

What’s new. Google added this new paragraph:

However, you don’t necessarily have to wait for a major core update to see the effect of your improvements. We’re continually making updates to our search algorithms, including smaller core updates. These updates are not announced because they aren’t widely noticeable, but they are another way that your content can see a rise in position (if you’ve made improvements).

What Google said. Google explained this section was added “To clarify that site owners that make content improvements can see a rise in position in Google Search results without having to wait for the next major core update.”

In fact, Danny Sullivan, the former Google Search Liaison, told us this in August 2019. He said then:

“Broad core updates tend to happen every few months. Content that was impacted by one might not recover – assuming improvements have been made – until the next broad core update is released.

However, we’re constantly making updates to our search algorithms, including smaller core updates. We don’t announce all of these because they’re generally not widely noticeable. Still, when released, they can cause content to recover if improvements warrant.”

A larger core update is coming soon. At the Google Search Central Live event in Zurich, John Mueller said a new core update is in progress and should be released soon. He noted he’d be surprised if it landed within the next couple of weeks, but he had nothing to announce yet.

Why we care. This confirms what we already know: Google often rolls out smaller core updates. Still, expect a new core update sooner rather than later – and when it arrives, you may see even bigger changes in search results and rankings.