"Update" in Search Console is NOT an Algo Update

[Dr-Pete]

We've had a few questions about the line labeled "Update" in Google Search Console on the Search Analytics timeline graph (see attached image). Asking around the industry, there seems to be a fair amount of confusion about whether this indicates a Google algorithm update.

This is not an algorithm update - it indicates an internal update in how Google is measuring search traffic. Your numbers before and after the update may look different, but this is because Google has essentially changed how they calculate your search traffic for reporting purposes. Your actual ranking and traffic have not changed due to these updates.

The latest updated happened on April 27th and is described by Google on this page:

Data anomalies in Search Console

Given the historical connotations of "update" in reference to Google search, this is a poor choice of words and I've contacted the Webmaster Team about it.

2CsyN7Q

[saudi-expatriatescom]

Search Console is improved very well now, compared to old one. As most of the things are automated in new update. I also faced some errors while processing one of my Saudi Arabia Expats website.

[ndhsne45]

Great explanation about search console error. I had faced the same issue in the search console with some my of keywords related to Check Iqama Expiry. But now, it's working fine.

[Travis_Bailey]

Well, there was that whole delay a while back (late March, early April?) whilst they filtered the referral spam. Predictably, the referral spam came back. There was yet another delay, in the last week.

Perhaps it's not the entire story, but it would seem to be a part of it.

[MattAntonino]

Given that the word "update" is such a specific word, they should probably use another term such as "data adjustment" or "data change" or ... something. Pretty much ANY word other than "update" would be a good option.

[Christy-Correll]

Hi Cosi, welcome to the Q&A forum! As your question about Google Search Console is, as you admit, not directly related to the topic of this discussion thread, please consider posting it as in a new thread at https://moz.com/community/q/ask. (This will not only help the discussion in this thread on-topic, but will significantly increase your chances of receiving helpful responses to your question.)

Thanks so much for your understanding!

Christy

PS - I will keep an eye out for your new discussion thread.

[CosiCrawley]

Hi

Loosely related but I am having trouble with my search console in that I verified both the www and non www versions of my domain to search console but it is returning 0 pages as being indexed in the index status and its saying no data is available under search appearance?

But I can see in google that is indexing at least 116 pages (site:notebusters.net)

Its a site built on wordpress. Do you know why this might be?

Thanks

[GastonRiera]

Fantastic, thanks for clarifying and confirming the intenal update