Google’s Search Ranking Tools Are Currently Broken
Google’s Search Ranking Tools Are Currently Broken – Here’s What You Need to Know
If you’ve been checking where your website appears in Google search results recently, you might have noticed some confusing or inaccurate data. Both Google’s own tools and third-party ranking software are currently experiencing significant issues.
What Is Rank Tracking?
Rank tracking is simply monitoring where your website appears when people search for specific keywords on Google. For example, if you sell shoes online, you’d want to know if your site appears on page one or page ten when someone searches for “running shoes”.
The Problem
Google recently removed a feature that allowed users to view 100 search results on a single page. Previously, tracking tools could gather comprehensive ranking data with just one request. Now, they need to make ten times more requests to collect the same information, making the process slower, more expensive, and less reliable.
This change has created a domino effect. Many popular ranking tools are scrambling to update their systems, whilst others haven’t yet acknowledged the problem. As a result, the data they’re providing may be incomplete or misleading.
Google Search Console Affected Too
Even Google’s own free tool, Search Console, is showing unusual patterns. Many website owners are reporting sudden drops in desktop search impressions and unexpected changes in their average ranking positions. These fluctuations appear to be data reporting issues rather than actual changes to website performance.
What This Means for You
If you regularly monitor your website’s search rankings, treat any recent data with caution. Dramatic changes in your rankings over the past week may not reflect your site’s actual performance. Instead, they could be the result of these ongoing technical issues.
Most tracking tool providers are working on solutions, but there’s no clear timeline for when normal service will resume. Google hasn’t yet confirmed whether the change was intentional or accidental.
What to Do Next
For now, avoid making major SEO decisions based on recent ranking data. If you must track your performance, cross-reference multiple tools and focus on longer-term trends rather than daily fluctuations. Keep an eye on official announcements from your tracking tool providers for updates on fixes.
