Google Halloween Ranking Update: Possible Targeted Update Yesterday?

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:

Seems like something is happening again. Many of my keywords have dropped like it did on the 25th. sad Hopefully, things will return to normal after a day or two like it did last time. A bunch of non-relevant articles in front again.

It looks as if my keywords have gone back to where they were on the 25th (after they dropped). Maybe Google is doing some a/b testing. But if this sticks, then I'm done. To the job center I go! :'/

Facing with big changes. Something is happening again? I'm pretty tired of Google updates for the last few months... Niche: IT how-to's, technology...

Yes. Exactly the same then 25th. Made me again an upset stomach in the morning. I hope so much that this not sticks sad

This is so depressive...

Look like testing something on the old database.

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

I just noticed some keyword of my niche(adult escorts) are dancing like hell getting new result on each click,is there anyone who noticed or this is happening to me only?

I guess something is happening, lost few rankings with less traffic.

yup, I think its google dancing mate

Here are also some tweets about this:

Anyone seeing big changes? This fall algo turbulence is insane. https://t.co/GWfljR2kUl

— Marie Haynes (@Marie_Haynes) October 31, 2018

@rustybrick another update brewing? I'm seeing a huge drop in my organic traffic today.

— Usama Mujtaba (@UsamaMujtaba) October 31, 2018

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.