Google Search Ranking Volatility Status Update

Last time I reported on the volatility of Google search rankings, I reported about a short cooling period. Coincidentally, this week had mostly flat Google search rankings, but SEO chatter picked up quite substantially by August 20 and 21. The curious thing is that while SEOs reported large ranking shifts midweek, tracking tools were still showing no volatility until a few days later on the weekend August 23-24.

For context: June 2025 Core Update

The rollout of the June 2025 core update lasted from June 30 to July 17. While we did not see much movement with the initial announcement, things started getting volatile the week of July 2, and peaked with the peak volatility around July 10, 2023, with many sites recovering partially from previous updates. Even after the rollout ended, there was volatility for weeks to follow. We last reported on this volatility on August 6 and August 11 in which we commented on a bit of cooling and said the turbulence remains.

Tracking Tools

Reports from tools show mixed signals. Some indicate calmer patterns over the weekend, while others still board spikes:

• Semrush

• 

• Advanced Web Rankings

  

• Accuranker
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  • SimilarWeb

  • Mozcast

  • Mangools

  • Data For SEO

  • SERPstat

  • Sistrix

  • Algoroo

  Wiredboard put together  a merged chart showing some overall volatility with the use of these tools all combined.

  SEO Forum Reactions

  • Talks have been ongoing in SEO forums about the ongoing instability.

  • Some sites had a dip of 40% – 50% traffic in one day, particularly with Google Discover.

  • Some people commented on volatility from weekend activity down to weekday cavitating drops.

  • Several webmasters had their traffic fall apart “off a cliff”, with some mentioning these dips were on top of July-related losses.

  • Global sites were showing a concerning amount of drops, and in many cases, this was well beyond seasonal trends.

  • Some SEOs also pointed out that while the pages were not being de-indexed, traffic movement across pages was at an unprecedented level, at times -80% to a homepage in one afternoon, only to be scanned and redistributed across other pages.