Google downplays the algorithm ranking update this week as “normal fluctuations”

Earlier this month, we reported about significant chatter around a Google algorithm update. Well, it looks like we have another update to report to you this week.

On Tuesday of this week, there were some early signals of a Google update. Those signals intensified Thursday and seem to just be getting stronger day by day.

In short, the webmaster and SEO community is confident that there was an algorithm change with the Google organic search results this week. Not only are the SEO forums and communities discussing it, the tracking tools from Mozcast, Accuranker, RankRanger and others have also shown significant fluctuations in the organic rankings in Google.

Google’s PR team wouldn’t directly comment. Instead, they pointed to a tweet by John Mueller from Google: “nothing specific, sorry — we’re always working to improve things!” This is in response to questions about an algorithm update. John also said this morning on Twitter that these are normal fluctuations:

@akrampathan21 @rustybrick @methode fluctuations in search are normal and a sign that our #algorithms & #engineers are working hard.

— John Mueller (@JohnMu) September 16, 2016

In any event, it seems this is not directly related to the Google Penguin update we are all anxiously awaiting.

About The Author

Barry Schwartz

Barry Schwartz a Contributing Editor to Search Engine Land and a member of the programming team for SMX events. He owns RustyBrick, a NY based web consulting firm. He also runs Search Engine Roundtable, a popular search blog on very advanced SEM topics. Barry's personal blog is named Cartoon Barry and he can be followed on Twitter here.