Google search rankings went through heavy turbulence on October 20 and 21, according to Search Engine Roundtable. More than 15 SEO tracking tools flagged sharp movements in search positions across industries. However, Google has not confirmed any algorithm update behind the shifts.
The shakeup follows Google’s September 2026 spam update, which ran in three waves between September 24 and October 8. That update specifically targeted spammy content across search results. Because of the timing, many SEO experts now believe Google may have quietly begun testing a new core update. As per SEO Round Table:
Meanwhile, SEO consultant Glenn Gabe found even deeper problems during the same stretch. He reported that two websites in the sensitive health and finance space dropped out of Google search entirely. The sites vanished even for brand name searches before coming back on October 16. Furthermore, Gabe pointed out that Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Sistrix showed conflicting data about when these drops actually hit.
Website owners also took to forums and social media to share their experiences. Some reported sudden drops in Google Discover and Search traffic on October 20. In contrast, others said they saw higher rankings but with 60 to 70% fewer clicks than normal. Several users also complained about low-quality spam filling up Google News and Discover feeds.
The tools that flagged the volatility include SEMrush, Mozcast, Algoroo, Sistrix, and Wincher. However, Search Engine Roundtable noted that some of them struggled to measure the full scope of the changes. Despite the gaps, site founder Barry Schwartz wrote that rankings look “super volatile again” and suggested Google may have kicked off something new.
This is just the latest in a string of ranking shakeups since early September. Google also rolled out unconfirmed updates on September 15 and October 16 during that stretch. In the meantime, website owners can only wait and see if Google decides to share what changed.