Types of updates#
| Type | What it targets |
|---|---|
| Core updates | Broad improvements to how relevance and quality are assessed |
| Spam updates | Improvements in detecting spam and policy violations |
| Specific system updates | Particular areas such as reviews or helpfulness signals |
Google publishes notable ranking updates on its Search Status Dashboard.
If your traffic drops after an update#
- Confirm the timing matches an announced update and isn’t a tracking or technical issue.
- Identify which pages and queries lost visibility in Search Console.
- Compare your pages with those that now rank: intent, depth, freshness, trust.
- Improve genuinely — focus on helpfulness and E-E-A-T.
- Be patient: recovery often shows after later updates.
How to stay resilient#
Sites built on helpful, people-first content, solid technical foundations and real authority tend to weather updates best. Chasing loopholes is what updates are designed to close.
Related: helpful content, quality rater guidelines.