Google Core Update: SEO shifts & data glitches

A significant Google core update, which began rolling out on May 21st, is causing movement across the SEO community. Many practitioners are seeing changes, though not universally. This update follows a March cycle that produced high volatility, with nearly 80% of top-three URLs shifting. What's interesting is that Google also confirmed a Search Console logging error. This wiped out all Discover performance data for May 21st, the same day the core update launched. This means clicks and impressions in the Discover report for that date were zeroed out, complicating efforts for publishers to assess ranking shifts. Adding to the week's events, Google has officially appealed the US search monopoly ruling. This opens a new legal chapter in a major antitrust proceeding. Meanwhile, the European Commission is preparing a potentially record-breaking fine under the Digital Markets Act. This fine, described as a high triple-digit million euro sum, stems from a 2024 investigation into anticompetitive behavior in search results. Regulators believe the company has not fully addressed these issues. The bottom line is that these developments could significantly impact how information is found and presented online, affecting businesses and consumers alike.