How to Check a Google Core Update's Impact in Search Console
Short answer
A Google core update is a broad change to Google's ranking systems, released several times a year. Check its impact in Search Console a week after the update ends, comparing one week after with one week before.
In this article
A Google core update is a significant, broad change to Google's search algorithms and systems, released several times a year. Core updates don't target specific sites or individual pages.
A traffic drop that coincides with a Google core update needs to be checked in the right order before it is explained to a client. This guide covers the latest core update dates, how to check the impact in Search Console and how to explain it to clients.
When was the last Google core update?
The last Google core update was the May 2026 core update, which ran from May 21 to June 2, 2026. Google announces every ranking update on the Search Status Dashboard, with its start date and duration.
| Update | Start | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| May 2026 core update | May 21, 2026 | 11.9 days |
| March 2026 core update | March 27, 2026 | 12.2 days |
| December 2025 core update | December 11, 2025 | 18.1 days |
| June 2025 core update | June 30, 2025 | 16.8 days |
| March 2025 core update | March 13, 2025 | 13.9 days |
The last 5 core updates took 11.9 to 18.1 days to roll out. The chart below shows each duration from the Search Status Dashboard.
The Search Status Dashboard also lists spam updates, such as the September 2026 spam update, which ran from September 24 to October 7, 2026.
How do you check a core update's impact in Search Console?
Google's guide gives 5 steps: confirm the update has finished, wait a week, compare two weeks, measure the size of the change, then separate search types. Click each step in the diagram to see how.
Confirm it finished · Search Status Dashboard
Check the update's start and end dates on the Search Status Dashboard. Google advises starting the analysis after the update has finished.
Wait a week · At least 7 days
Wait at least a full week after the update finishes before reading Search Console data.
Compare two weeks · After vs before
In the Performance report, compare one week after the update finished with one week before it started.
Measure the change · Small or large
A drop from position 2 to 4 is small. A drop from position 4 to 29 is large and needs a deeper look.
Separate search types · Web, Images, Video, News
Analyze Web search, Google Images, Video and News separately, because the impact can differ.
Order taken from Google Search Central's core update guide.
Other causes still need checking even when a drop coincides with a core update. Google lists 7 causes of traffic drops: algorithm updates, technical issues, security issues, spam, changing interest or seasonality, site moves, and reporting glitches.
Google advises improving titles and snippets, or checking competitors' rich results, when clicks fall while impressions hold steady. Other causes of the same pattern are covered in impressions up but clicks down.
What should you do after a core update hits a site?
The next step after a core update depends on the size of the drop. Google's guide separates 3 situations:
- Small drop, such as position 2 to 4: avoid changing content that already performs well.
- Large, lasting drop: assess the whole site against Google's helpful content guidance, ideally with people outside the team too.
- Most affected pages: compare them with other pages in the results that serve searchers better.
Some changes take effect within a few days, but Google's systems can take several months to confirm an improvement. Google advises waiting for the next core update when there is no effect after a few months. Google also calls deleting content a last resort.
How to explain a traffic drop to a client with data is covered in the guide on an organic traffic drop.
How do you explain a core update's impact to a client?
Explain a core update's impact with numbers, dates and the limits of what the data shows. Write that the drop coincided with the core update. Name the core update as the cause only when the comparison data shows it.
The explanation belongs in the top pages and queries section of the monthly SEO report.
Frequently asked questions
How many core updates does Google release a year?
Google says core updates happen several times a year. The Search Status Dashboard lists 3 core updates in 2025 and 2 so far in 2026, up to October.
Do core updates target specific sites?
No. Google says core updates don't target specific sites or individual pages.
When can a site recover after a core update?
Google gives no guarantee. Some changes take effect within days. Confirming an improvement can take several months or the next core update.
Sources
The Recalytics Team writes guides on SEO and analytics reporting for digital agencies and website owners, based on Google's official documentation and Search Console and GA4 data.