A Google algorithm update can always both boost or harm your rankings. Use these monitoring tools to track ranking shifts and SERP volatility effectively.
Google evaluates and updates its algorithms continuously, often implementing hundreds or thousands of changes yearly. While major updates—like the March 2024 Core Update, the November 2023 Reviews Update, or those targeting site reputation abuse—are sometimes confirmed by Google, many go unannounced. These unconfirmed updates are usually detected through spikes in SERP volatility.
Though common SEO advice, especially from Google, encourages a “user-first” approach rather than chasing algorithm changes, these updates can significantly impact SEO performance—sometimes unfairly.
If you’re managing a brand’s website, responding swiftly when an update occurs is crucial. Awareness of when updates roll out and understanding their effects can help you adjust your strategy, mitigate potential harm, and recover more quickly if your site is negatively affected. Staying informed also positions you to better prepare for future updates.
Why You Should Track Google Updates
Understanding Google’s algorithms and updates is a fundamental SEO skill. Occasionally, Google releases updates significant enough to earn a name—like Florida, Panda, Penguin, or RankBrain—that can dramatically change how search works. To avoid being blindsided by major updates, it’s essential to analyze the history of these algorithms and understand their potential future directions.
Algorithm changes primarily affect your website’s organic visibility in Google Search, typically through ranking fluctuations. However, updates can also disrupt performance, such as introducing new Search features that reduce click-through rates and overall traffic on specific SERPs.
Tracking and analyzing Google updates allows you to adapt to sudden performance shifts and develop long-term SEO strategies. By understanding past algorithm trends, you can anticipate future changes, avoid risky SEO tactics, and minimize the chances of a significant update negatively impacting your site.
Recovering from an algorithm hit takes time and effort. Monitoring updates helps you pinpoint why your rankings may have changed so you can implement the proper fixes and recover as swiftly as possible.
7 Tools To Track Google Algorithm Updates
Google isn’t particularly fond of third-party tools that monitor algorithm changes, often warning the SEO community that these tools can be prone to errors or false positives. Google’s discomfort stems from the fact that these tools frequently crawl SERPs to collect data—something Google naturally frowns upon. 😄
While it’s true that some tools might occasionally report volatile shifts inaccurately, many offer reliable insights by tracking “volatility scores”—indicators of how much the SERPs have fluctuated. Here are seven tools that effectively monitor Google algorithm updates:
- MozCast
- Semrush Sensor
- Similarweb
- Accuranker ‘Grump’ Rating
- Advanced Web Rankings Google Algorithm Changes
- CognitiveSEO Signals
- Algoroo
These tools can help you stay informed about algorithm changes, allowing you to better understand and respond to shifts in search engine behavior.
What To Do After an Algorithm Update
When a Google algorithm update—whether confirmed or unconfirmed—negatively impacts your website, there are six key steps to follow:
- Don’t panic and avoid hasty sitewide changes – Reacting impulsively can do more harm than good. Stay calm and assess the situation carefully.
- Check your website’s technical setup – Ensure the drop in traffic isn’t due to a technical issue, such as server downtime or accidentally blocking pages with robots.txt or noindex tags.
- Be patient and gather data – Collect as much as possible to understand the impact. Quick fixes might not be the solution, so take time to assess.
- Analyze your competitors – See how the update has affected other sites in your industry to identify any trends or patterns.
- Consult credible sources—Read reliable SEO publications (like Search Engine Journal) to learn what experts are saying about the update and any recommended actions.
- Adjust your SEO strategy as needed. Once you understand the update’s impact, refine your strategy and tactics accordingly.
Remember, Google’s algorithms are always evolving. What affects your rankings today may shift again in days, weeks, or months, so staying informed and adaptable is crucial.
If you still find it challenging and overwhelming, explore our monthly SEO packages and let the experts handle it.
