INCREASING VOLATILITY: IS ANOTHER GOOGLE ALGORITHM UPDATE HAPPENING NOW?

For marketers, few things are more frustrating than an unexpected drop in rankings. If you've noticed increased fluctuations in search results lately, you're not alone. SEO tracking tools and industry experts are signaling a potential, yet unconfirmed, Google algorithm update that could be impacting search rankings right now.

Industry Experts Are Noticing the Algorithm Changes

Barry Schwartz, CEO of RustyBrick and a leading technologist in the search industry, has been closely monitoring these developments. In a recent article on Search Engine Roundtable, Schwartz highlighted significant ranking volatility, suggesting that Google may be rolling out an update under the radar.

This follows his earlier report from January 2025, where he first noted unusual fluctuations in local search rankings. While Google has yet to confirm any official update, Schwartz and many in the SEO community believe the patterns indicate algorithmic changes at play. (Read his original report here.)

What's Happening in the Search Landscape?

Several SEO tracking tools, including SEMrush and Moz, are showing spikes in volatility. Discussions in SEO forums suggest that websites across various industries are seeing ranking shifts, with some experiencing noticeable traffic increases or declines overnight.

Schwartz points out that Google's recent algorithm updates have focused heavily on improving content quality, combating spam, and refining search intent. If this trend continues, sites relying on outdated SEO tactics or thin content may be the most affected.

What This Means for Your Business

Algorithm updates can create both challenges and opportunities. Here’s what marketers should do to stay ahead:

• Prioritize high-quality content: Google's updates continue to reward valuable, user-focused content. Now is the time to audit your site and improve underperforming pages.

• Optimize for user experience: Sites with slow loading times, poor mobile responsiveness, or excessive ads could see negative impacts.

• Monitor ranking changes closely: Use Google Search Console and analytics tools to track fluctuations and identify patterns.

• Diversify your traffic sources: Relying solely on organic search can be risky. Expanding efforts into email marketing, social media, and paid ads can help stabilize traffic.

What to Do During an Algorithm Update

When rankings fluctuate, it’s important not to panic. Here are proactive steps you can take:

• Analyze the Data: Use Google Search Console and analytics tools to determine which pages are affected and identify trends.

• Avoid Making Sudden Changes: Algorithm updates take time to roll out. Wait a few days to assess the full impact before implementing drastic SEO changes.

• Double Down on Best Practices: Continue optimizing for user experience, high-quality content, and technical SEO improvements.

• Engage with Your Audience: Drive traffic through social media, email campaigns, and paid advertising to offset any temporary losses.

A Call to Business Owners Seeing Their Rankings Drop

If your website has been impacted by this potential update, don’t wait to take action. The longer you delay, the harder it can be to recover lost rankings. Our team at LevelUp Digital specializes in helping businesses adapt to Google's ever-changing landscape.

Stay Informed and Stay Prepared

Google's algorithms are constantly evolving, and staying informed is key to long-term SEO success. Whether this current volatility results in an officially confirmed update or not, proactive marketers who focus on quality content and strong user experience will always be in the best position.

Need help navigating these changes? Our team at LevelUp Digital can guide you through algorithm updates and help you build a resilient SEO strategy. Get in touch with us today.