What Is the Google Dance? When Search Results Fluctuate

Today I want to talk about the infamous Google Dance—a term that always makes me smile because of how it sounds.

But first, let’s clear up what Google Dance is NOT:

1. Google Dance is not one of those cringe-worthy internet challenges
2. Google Dance is not a new dance craze
3. Google Dance is not Google twerking for you

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get to what Google Dance actually is:

Google Dance refers to the fluctuations in search rankings caused by changes in Google’s algorithms.

For SEO professionals, Google Dance is both a mini heart attack and a reason to celebrate.

In short: what Google Dance gives, Google Dance can take away.

Google Dance: Everything You Need to Know

How often does it happen?

Google makes significant algorithm updates around 10 times a year.

But these changes don’t always roll out overnight. Sometimes they’re applied partially, rolled back, or implemented in stages.

If you’ve ever checked your keywords and found yourself in an unusual position—then checked again a few minutes later and landed somewhere else entirely—chances are Google was tweaking its algorithm. That’s when the dance begins (or at least, that’s when you notice it).

How can I tell if my website is caught in the dance?

Let’s say your site’s rankings are all over the place. How do you know if it’s the Google Dance?

Here are some signs to look for:

1. Your rankings are unusually volatile—over 2 or 3 days, your site jumps up and down the SERPs like crazy
2. If this happens within a single day, it’s even more likely to be the Google Dance
3. Check your competitors. If everyone’s shifting, not just you, it’s probably the Google Dance affecting multiple sites

Was my website penalized or is it just dancing?

It’s common to panic when your rankings drop. Is something serious going on?

It’s possible, but not always the case. Here are some signs that a penalty might be involved:

1. Look at all your top-ranking keywords. If they’ve all dropped significantly, a penalty could be the cause
2. If you’re the only one seeing major changes, that’s another red flag
3. If your organic traffic has dropped sharply, add that to the list

If all three are true, it’s time to investigate further.

Which websites are most affected?

The longer you’ve held a top position, the more stable your ranking tends to be. If you’ve only recently broken into the top 5, your spot is more vulnerable.

Positions 1 and 2, if held for a while, are generally tough to dislodge.

So if your site is climbing the rankings, expect it to be more susceptible to the ups and downs of the Google Dance.

Here’s a video that dives deeper into this:

https://moz.com/blog/ranking-fluctuations

How to spot the tremors

Beyond the signs above, there’s a tool that tracks SERP volatility by industry.

Check it out. This tool lets you see the “earthquakes” in the SERPs. Make sure to select the right region.

https://es.semrush.com/sensor/

Okay, but what can I do about it?!

Whether you think your site is in the middle of a Google Dance or you suspect a penalty, the first thing you should do is…

Take a deep breath. Keep calm and enjoy the dance

Don’t stress. Give it a few days. If your site has ranked well for a while, chances are it’ll return to its usual positions.

If you’ve recently been climbing and now dropped, as long as the overall trend is upward, take it as a good sign. You might climb even higher next time.

Check for possible errors

We’re not ones to just sit still, so here are a few things you can do to make sure you’re not being penalized—and how to fix it if you are:

1. Log into Google Search Console and check for errors. Pay special attention to 404s—if you find any, fix them with redirects or whatever’s needed
2. In the same console, check for manual actions from Google’s team. If you have one, research the penalty and how to resolve it
3. If you’ve made MAJOR changes to your website’s content, and your rankings don’t recover (or keep dropping) after a week or two, consider reverting or finding a middle ground

If everything checks out, then…

Don’t judge results day by day

Measure your results over one- or two-week periods. Don’t obsess over being at the top today and in position 8 tomorrow. Focus on your average position over a couple of weeks.

Also, keep in mind that rankings can vary depending on the IP address you’re searching from. That means your site might show up in one spot for you and two spots higher or lower for someone else, depending on the day.

What to do while the dance lasts

My advice: use this time productively. Work on improving your site’s SEO and user experience. Build backlinks with guest posts, boost your social media presence, or write a blog post about the Google Dance—just like I’m doing now.

When the Google Dance is actually fun

Google Dance: The misunderstood phenomenon

To wrap up, here’s a little truth:

Yeah, it sucks when your rankings tank. I feel you. But when you suddenly jump up the rankings, you don’t run around asking, “Why did I go up?” You just think, “I’m a genius!” Right?

Well, the reality is, those jumps are often thanks to the same Google Dance we all love to hate. If we don’t complain when we go up, maybe we shouldn’t complain when we go down.

And I’m saying this to you—and to myself.

#GodBlessGoogleDance #FuckGoogleDance