Google has started rolling out its November 2026 core update, bringing changes to search rankings worldwide and across all languages. The rollout could take up to two weeks, so you may see your site’s positions shift as it progresses.
The update began on November 10 at 10:06 a.m. Pacific time, according to Google’s Search Status Dashboard announcement.
Core updates change how Google’s systems assess content across the web. As those systems reassess which pages best answer a search, websites can gain or lose visibility.
Google’s first core update since May
Google’s ranking update history lists November as its third broad core update of 2026, following releases in March and May. The May rollout took almost 12 days.
Site owners have been watching for another core update for weeks. SEW’s October report on traffic drops documented complaints about Search, Discover and Google News. At the time of that October 19 report, Google had yet to announce an October ranking update.
When to assess changes to your traffic
If your rankings move during the rollout, Google’s core update guidance recommends waiting at least a full week after it finishes before analyzing the impact in Search Console. Compare that week with a week before the update began.
For the November release, that means choosing a baseline before November 10 and using Google’s eventual completion date to set your comparison period. If the rollout takes the full two weeks, Google’s recommended assessment point would fall around December 1.
Once you have that comparison, look at the pages and queries that gained or lost positions. Check Web, Image, Video and News search separately to see where the changes occurred.
Google advises against drastic edits after a small ranking drop, particularly to content already performing well. A sustained, larger decline calls for a closer review of the affected pages and how well your site answers the searches bringing people to it.
Source: Google Search Status Dashboard
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