Maybe a Minor Google Search Update (October 2009)?

Over the past day or so, I have been seeing and watching a small increase in the number of threads discussing either global changes to the Google index or people complaining (at a higher rate) that their site is no longer ranking as well in Google.

Yes, Google is constantly changing, so this may just be that people are around more to notice? But the shift in the forum patterns that I watch on this specific topic is trending towards a possible Google update that is larger than a normal Google daily flux.

We have threads on the topic at DigitalPoint Forums (actually a few there, as always), an ongoing WebmasterWorld thread with new activity and dozens of threads at Google Webmaster Help.

Again, this may be nothing or it may be early signs of an update coming. There have also been complaints both in the Google Webmaster Help forums and at WebmasterWorld of connectivity issues with Google.

The last time we reported on an update was in August where Matt Cutts of Google told us there was nothing going on.

Forum discussion at DigitalPoint Forums, WebmasterWorld and Google Webmaster Help.

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posted rustybrick in Google PageRank/SERP Updates at October 21, 2009 8:41 AM Comments (13)

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I have noticed multiple sites shifting a few places both up and down the last couple days as well. If it isn't an update, it's pretty coincidental.

Posted by Kevin Spence at October 21, 2009 09:09

I'm not following on what you mean about the forum stuff, can you go into more depth about that?

Posted by mark at October 21, 2009 09:49

I track the search forums, that is what we do on this blog. ALL the news we report here comes from the forums (see forum link at the top).

I watch the discussions and if I see a spike in people discussing changes at Google, I let you know.

That is why you read this site. :)

Posted by Barry Schwartz at October 21, 2009 09:51

I think the major change is within the universal search results. My belief is that they are trying to become more contextualised.

Videos results have been dropped down in the results to position 11 from 4 for many terms. Images are still predominant unless the search keyword states "video", then videos are highly prominent.

Happy to send examples Barry if you require evidence- have a handful.

Posted by Rob at October 21, 2009 10:21

Has there been much in the way of discussion about Google Product Search? I'm seeing some changes there, e.g. shopping links appearing above all organic listings again..

Posted by Greg at October 21, 2009 10:38

Rob, I trust you.

Greg, some changes - yes, we covered them in early posts here.

Posted by Barry Schwartz at October 21, 2009 10:41

Is Google Caffeine Update has to do something with this up and down of websites on Google SERP?

Google Caffeine Update was Google trick to regain the focus of webmasters from Bing and Yahoo updates?

Posted by Vineet Singh at October 22, 2009 01:33

Something's afoot, my marquee keyphrase which has been No. 1 for a while ... is still No. 1 but I noted yesterday that it has now gained Classic Sitelinks for the 1st time... which is pleasing.

Posted by colin mcdermott at October 22, 2009 08:20

This happens all too often and always causes a stir.. I woudn't worry about it too much and just continue on with your day. It also might be worth checking out your rankings in Google caffiene.

Posted by Mark at October 22, 2009 09:10

I am loving the latest update. All my rankings went up :)

Posted by Michael Moshkovich at October 22, 2009 17:59

I also see significant changes on the SERPS.

Posted by No Name at October 26, 2009 15:19

Can definitely see major swings in 2, 3 and 4 keyword combinations. The update doesn't seem to be targeting the more popular keywords just yet, but most traffic comes from small, personal search strings and these have been destroyed recently.

Posted by SpencerJ at October 29, 2009 06:52

It's kind of strange. More and more people notified change in result or PR and Google say nothing changed ...

Posted by Ad at November 16, 2009 06:18

Maybe a Minor Google Search Update (October 2009)?

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