Update: On November 7th we posted an update about this creepy ongoing Google algorithm update – it is still not confirmed by a Google representative.

Yesterday, on Halloween, I saw a some chatter within the industry around significant ranking changes in Google’s search results. The thing is, the complaints are not widespread but there are a nice number of complaints in the SEO communities. I am thinking this is a niche targeted update, impacting a specific tactic or vertical – but it is way too early to know the specifics.

Here are some quotes from the ongoing WebmasterWorld thread with people noticing changes in their rankings and the search results they track in Google:

There is also a Black Hat World thread with some people saying they are seeing an update:

Here are also some tweets about this:

So some people are seeing big changes but again, either it is super early, was a limited short test or impacting a specific area that is not too widespread. Time will tell, I will keep an eye on it.

Here are the tracking tools, most are not showing big changes:

Mozcast:

SERP Metrics:

Algoroo:

Advanced Web Rankings:

Accuranker:

RankRanger:

SEMRush:

So take a look at your analytics and rankings and let me know if I should dig deeper into this scary, deep, dark, spooky, hole of the Google Halloween update.

Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld and Black Hat World.