Algorithm Update.

Algorithm updates are changes Google (and other search engines) make to their ranking systems that affect which pages rank for which queries and in what positions. Updates range from small daily tweaks (Google reports making thousands of minor changes per year) to significant named updates that can produce major ranking shifts across many websites simultaneously.

Types of Google Algorithm Updates

Google releases several types of named updates: Core Updates (broad changes to core ranking systems, typically 3-4 times per year); Spam Updates (targeting manipulative link schemes, cloaking, and content spam); Helpful Content Updates (targeting content written for search engines rather than humans); Link Spam Updates (targeting manipulative link building); and Product Reviews Updates (specifically evaluating review content quality).

Recovering from Algorithm Updates

If a site loses rankings after an update, diagnosis should focus on identifying what the update targeted and whether the site exhibits those characteristics. Core Updates tend to reward improvements in content quality and E-E-A-T: recovery usually requires substantive content improvements and is only confirmed when Google runs another core update. Keyword monitoring, traffic analysis, and comparing affected vs. unaffected pages helps pinpoint causes.