Ahrefs Reports Google Altering Search Results

Ahrefs, a search engine optimization tool provider, reports that Google is returning altered search results to suspected search-data collectors, according to Search Engine Watch. The company claims that 5% to 20% of results are affected, depending on the provider. This behavior, which Ahrefs calls 'poisoning', has increased over recent weeks.

Ahrefs is taking steps to filter out abnormal results, request replacements, and clean up previously collected data. The company will communicate further developments through dashboard notifications. However, the announcement does not provide a sample size, provider names, or detection methodology, so the percentage is based on Ahrefs' reported experience.

The issue is not unique to Ahrefs, as other rank trackers, such as Semrush, have also reported receiving misleading Google results. Ahrefs does not disclose how much affected data reached customer reports before its filters caught it. The company is working to correct the results, which may change keyword estimates and traffic potential.

Ahrefs' documentation explains that a search engine results page (SERP) supplies more than just a list of positions. Refreshing a SERP can also change Keyword Difficulty and Traffic Potential estimates, creating a reporting complication during the cleanup. To compare reports produced before and after a correction, it is essential to keep the collection date alongside exported figures.

To investigate suspicious ranking changes, Ahrefs recommends comparing stored results with search traffic data. Users can start by opening the keyword's SERP table in Site Explorer and using the date picker to compare earlier snapshots. Then, they can compare the same query, country, device, and period in Google Search Console's Performance report to establish whether the apparent ranking loss coincided with a change in search traffic or visibility.

Ahrefs also documents routine differences caused by collection timing, location, and personalization. To investigate specific results, users should provide support with the affected query, URL, country, and timestamp. The company provides an Update control in Keywords Explorer for fetching a fresh SERP, but the announcement does not give a completion date for the historical cleanup or a list of affected keywords.

The issue highlights the importance of verifying search engine results and using multiple tools to ensure accuracy. Ahrefs' efforts to correct the altered results and provide transparent communication to its users are crucial in maintaining trust and reliability in the SEO industry.