# Google core update

Category: [Google Updates & Algorithms](https://seo-geo-glossary.com/en/glossary/category/google-updates-algorithms/) › [Updates & actions](https://seo-geo-glossary.com/en/glossary/category/google-updates-algorithms/updates-actions/) · Also known as: core update, broad core update, core algorithm update

A **Google core update** is a broad change to the algorithms and systems of Google Search that Google rolls out several times a year. According to Google, core updates are not aimed at specific sites or individual pages. They change how Google assesses content overall.

## What happens during a core update?

Google announces each core update on the Google Search Status Dashboard and records when the rollout starts and ends. Between March 2024 and May 2026, rollouts listed there took between 6 and 45 days, most of them two to three weeks (our own tally of the entries, not a Google statement). Rankings often fluctuate more than usual during that time.

A site that loses visibility in a core update is not necessarily doing anything wrong, Google says. Other content may simply be judged a better fit for the query. Google states that most sites don't need to worry about core updates. Sites with significant drops are pointed to Google's questions on whether content is helpful, reliable and created for people.

Google recommends waiting at least a full week after a rollout has completed before analyzing Search Console data, then comparing the periods before and after. Recovery does not have to wait for the next core update, because Google ships smaller, unannounced changes continuously. Some improvements show in a few days, others take several months.

## Example

As of October 8, 2026, Google has announced two core updates in 2026:

| Update | Start | Rollout duration |
|---|---|---|
| March 2026 core update | March 27, 2026 | 12 days, 4 hours |
| May 2026 core update | May 21, 2026 | 11 days, 21 hours |

Spam updates appear on the same dashboard as separate entries.

## FAQ

**When was the last core update?**
The Search Status Dashboard lists it under "Ranking." As of October 8, 2026, the latest is the May 2026 core update.

**Will there be more core updates in 2026?**
Google does not announce dates in advance. A new core update appears on the dashboard when its rollout begins.

**Do I need to fix something after a core update?**
Usually not. A core update reassesses content broadly and does not target individual sites, according to Google. Technical problems that happen to occur in the same period should still be checked separately, so they are not mistaken for an effect of the update. This is an assessment, not a Google statement.

## At a glance

- **Type:** Broad change to Google Search's ranking systems
- **Frequency:** several times a year (per Google)
- **Started:** May 21, 2026 (May 2026 core update, latest)
- **Completed:** June 2, 2026
- **Confirmed by:** [Google Search Status Dashboard](https://status.search.google.com/products/rGHU1u87FJnkP6W2GwMi/history)
- **Docs:** [Google: Google Search's core updates](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/core-updates)

Last checked: October 8, 2026

## Core and spam updates from November 2021 to today

- **November 3 to November 11, 2021:** November 2021 spam update. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/AFdXceQVsh1GEfKFvHyD))
- **November 17 to November 30, 2021:** November 2021 core update. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/FncPfR7zRSZ3diemah4o))
- **May 25 to June 9, 2022:** May 2022 core update. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/GHwLLtDS64a7nDng8xhD))
- **September 12 to September 26, 2022:** September 2022 core update. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/Y2Cg5k2xLJvfNqR58kEt))
- **October 19 to October 21, 2022:** October 2022 spam update, global and for all languages. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/SAeYuxVSo39HHotQNXHr))
- **December 14, 2022 to January 12, 2023:** December 2022 link spam update, global and for all languages. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/CxXUEK28vCKqkNocPhKR))
- **March 15 to March 28, 2023:** March 2023 core update. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/Cou8Tr74r7EXNthuEsaG))
- **August 22 to September 7, 2023:** August 2023 core update. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/nBtYtBeex4GYBbdDS2LX))
- **October 4 to October 20, 2023:** October 2023 spam update, global, with improved coverage in languages including Turkish, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Hindi and Chinese. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/NzcEhGMDhbQEdXCS35xL))
- **October 5 to October 19, 2023:** October 2023 core update. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/VKyoS53ULWzSp8BoDxqk))
- **November 2 to November 28, 2023:** November 2023 core update. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/WtY1CQgfqrr2cjxKbyUk))
- **March 5 to March 20, 2024:** March 2024 spam update. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/iXz2PJfodvyjaVUeqxZE))
- **March 5 to April 19, 2024:** March 2024 core update. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/1jW2F89qC2NxJBWGiKxE))
- **June 20 to June 27, 2024:** June 2024 spam update. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/QdUeCQx3LRVbzQ3E7FiD))
- **August 15 to September 3, 2024:** August 2024 core update. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/gVx6b2o78zke7GrMidGy))
- **November 11 to December 5, 2024:** November 2024 core update. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/G7rp11wqTaTGn6JjiPF3))
- **December 12 to December 18, 2024:** December 2024 core update. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/V9nDKuo6nWKh2ThBALgA))
- **December 19 to December 26, 2024:** December 2024 spam update, global and for all languages. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/UUq2WSouY7PhSm8zvtD1))
- **March 13 to March 27, 2025:** March 2025 core update. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/zpmwuSwifjDjfrVdaZUx))
- **June 30 to July 17, 2025:** June 2025 core update. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/riq1AuqETW46NfBCe5NT))
- **August 26 to September 22, 2025:** August 2025 spam update, global and for all languages. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/a7Aainy6E9rZsmfq82xt))
- **December 11 to December 29, 2025:** December 2025 core update. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/DsirqJ1gpPRgVQeccPRv))
- **March 24 to March 25, 2026:** March 2026 spam update, global and for all languages. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/VbnSXAH4SmEcxPtx4YSD))
- **March 27 to April 8, 2026:** March 2026 core update. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/7eTbAa2jWdToLkraZj5y))
- **May 21 to June 2, 2026:** May 2026 core update. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/wdAXJk6LRRihEjpzEeWE))
- **June 24 to June 26, 2026:** June 2026 spam update, global and for all languages. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/YUX1peHev5a4fkxLDiUQ))
- **August 18 to August 21, 2026:** August 2026 spam update, global and for all languages. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/LEubPCm2octf2uMqCFKE))
- **September 24 to October 8, 2026:** September 2026 spam update, global and for all languages. ([Source](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/XhUDXP7A67iHCD2kmbVu))

## Related terms

- [Google algorithm update](https://seo-geo-glossary.com/en/glossary/google-algorithm-update/index.md)
- [Helpful content update](https://seo-geo-glossary.com/en/glossary/helpful-content-update/index.md)
- [Spam update](https://seo-geo-glossary.com/en/glossary/spam-update/index.md)

## Sources

- [Google Search's core updates – Google Search Central (last updated 2025-12-10)](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/core-updates)
- [Google Search Status Dashboard – Ranking incidents](https://status.search.google.com/products/rGHU1u87FJnkP6W2GwMi/history)

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Last updated: October 8, 2026
URL: https://seo-geo-glossary.com/en/glossary/google-core-update/