Google’s July 2021 Core Algorithm Update is now fully rolled out. The official announcement was made on Twitter:
The July 2021 core update rollout is now effectively complete.
— Google SearchLiaison (@searchliaison) July 12, 2021
With this rollout, the search algorithm has been updated across all Google data centers worldwide, meaning search rankings will now remain relatively stable.
If you’ve noticed fluctuations in your search engine rankings, your website may have been affected by the new search algorithm behavior. Instead of waiting for a last-minute recovery, it’s crucial to analyze and understand the impact of these ranking updates.
Previous Google Core Updates
The most recent Google core update before this was in June 2021. That update was slower but had a broader impact compared to the July 2021 search algorithm update.
Before that, December 2020’s core algorithm update was significant, even more so than the May 2020 core update, which was one of the most extensive updates and took weeks to fully roll out.
Other notable Google core updates include:
- January 2020 Core Update
- September 2019 Core Update (which had less impact according to SEOs and webmasters)
- November 2019 Local Algorithm Update (which mainly affected local search rankings)
Each of these Google updates has reshaped the search landscape, influencing how websites rank in organic search results.
Was the July 2021 Core Algorithm Update a Reversal of the June Update?
One of the ongoing discussions in the SEO community is whether the July 2021 Core Algorithm Update reversed the ranking fluctuations caused by the June 2021 Core Update.
It’s common for search algorithm updates to cause ranking shifts, and some websites affected by one update may recover in a later update. This pattern has been observed in previous Google core updates.
However, due to the connection between the June and July algorithm updates, many SEOs speculated that the July update might have reversed some of the ranking changes introduced in June.
Data on Ranking Reversals
An analysis of the top 200 affected domains showed that only 15 websites experienced a ranking reversal between the June and July core updates. This suggests that Google’s July 2021 Core Update did not fully undo the changes from the previous update.
Different Google algorithm updates impact domains in unique ways, and the data indicates that the July 2021 search update was not simply a reversal of the June 2021 update.
To clarify this, Google’s Danny Sullivan stated that each core algorithm update is designed to improve how Google Search works, ensuring users get the most relevant and high-quality search results.
What to Do If Your Website Is Affected
Google has shared guidance on handling ranking drops after a core algorithm update. There are no exact recovery steps because Google updates don’t target specific sites—they improve search ranking factors broadly.
However, Google’s official FAQs provide insights into what website owners can do if they see a ranking decline. It’s also common for websites to lose rankings in one update and recover in a future core update.
Key Insights on the July 2021 Core Algorithm Update
Google rarely discloses the specific changes introduced in core algorithm updates. However, for the July 2021 update, Google indicated that it focused on multiple indexing improvements and ranking adjustments.
Before rolling out the July 2021 update, Google released two spam updates, which isn’t unusual. Earlier in 2021, Google announced it would strengthen its anti-spam measures using an AI-powered spam detection system.
This AI-driven anti-spam system helps Google combat low-quality content, ensuring search results deliver relevant, high-quality information efficiently.
July 2021 Core Update Observations
Many SEO professionals across Facebook groups and forums have noted that both on-page SEO and off-page SEO strategies remain effective, keeping rankings stable.
Some have also reported a noticeable removal of low-quality backlinks, which could indicate Google’s spam update impact.
On WebmasterWorld, SEOs have speculated on several ranking changes, though these discussions are not always reliable. However, some common observations include:
- Increase in ‘People Also Ask’ (PAA) visibility – Google appears to be prioritizing this feature, which helps users find relevant answers faster.
- Drop in image rankings – Many SEOs noticed a decline in image search rankings following the update.
- Fluctuations in organic search results – Some sites reported ranking drops in traditional search engine results pages (SERPs).
While Google’s core updates always cause ranking shifts, the July 2021 update seems to have specifically influenced featured snippets, backlinks, and visual search results.
Tracking Tools & Results: How Rankings Shifted
When the July 2021 Core Algorithm Update rolled out, SEO tracking tools showed massive ranking fluctuations. Some of the most notable tools that detected changes include:
So take time to review your rankings and check if you got hit by the core algorithm update in a positive or negative way between July 1st and July 12th.
Wrapping Up:
Every Google core algorithm update reshapes search rankings, meaning any website can experience ranking improvements or drops.
These updates help determine whether:
- Your SEO strategy aligns with Google’s evolving ranking system.
- Google has made algorithmic changes that impact site performance.
One key takeaway, that algorithm updates are continuous. The Page Experience Update is still rolling out and is expected to conclude by August 2021.
Looking ahead, another broad core update is expected in the fall. While Google hasn’t confirmed exact dates, site owners should start improving their content quality and SEO strategy sooner rather than later.
Recovery Tip
To recover rankings, websites typically need to wait for another broad core update. However, focusing on long-term quality improvements is the best way to secure a strong position in future updates.
