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September 2019 Google Core Update: Rollout & Analysis

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Google pre-announced its third core update of 2019 hours before rollout began at 2pm ET on 24th Sep. Data providers measured a milder impact than the June 2019 core update.

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Google announced on the morning of 24th Sep 2019: "Later today, we are releasing a broad core algorithm update, as we do several times per year. It is called the September 2019 Core Update."

Rollout began at 2pm ET the same day, the second core update in a row that Google pre-announced.

Danny Sullivan said it would take several days to reach all data centers. Google did not announce a completion date.

Early readings pegged it as gentler than the June update. Search Engine Land ran a data-provider roundup.

  • RankRanger said ranking swings in positions 1-3 were much lower than during the June update.
  • Sistrix reported "less of an impact compared to the June core update", with some clear winners but no significant losers identified.
  • Semrush saw no strong winner-loser pattern.

Being a broad core update, it carried no specific fix.

If your rankings moved in late September 2019, review the affected pages. Check them against Google's core updates help pages and its self-assessment advice.

Then follow our recovery guide.

Rollout log

  • Pre-announced in the morning. Rollout begins at 2pm ET, expected to take several days across data centers.

  • Data providers (RankRanger, Sistrix, Semrush) report a weaker impact than the June 2019 core update.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

When did the September 2019 core update start and finish?

It began rolling out at 2pm ET on 24th Sep 2019, announced hours in advance.

Google never published an official completion date. At the time rollouts were simply expected to take several days.

How big was the September 2019 core update?

Milder than the June 2019 core update, according to the tracking tools Search Engine Land surveyed.

RankRanger measured much lower top-position ranking swings than in June. Sistrix saw less impact with no significant losers identified.

How do I recover from the September 2019 core update?

Core updates have no specific fix. Google's standing advice is to improve overall content quality against its self-assessment questions.

Expect meaningful recovery at a future core update.

Compiled by Claude from primary sources, checked by Akash Mansukhani before publication. See how we source and correct this page.
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Cite this page: Keywords Everywhere, "September 2019 Google Core Update: Rollout & Analysis", last updated 24th Sep 2019, https://keywordseverywhere.com/news/google-algorithm-updates/september-2019-core-update/