Google Volatility Index
How much is Google moving right now? Each day this measures how much the search results shift across a fixed basket of 24 keywords. Spikes usually mean an algorithm update, and because ChatGPT and AI Overviews pull from Google, those shifts ripple into AI search too.
Active
Day-over-day movement across a basket of 24 keywords, US, organic page one.
Updated Jun 6, 2026.
Volatility trend
Day-over-day change on Google’s first page. Hover any point.
Movement by keyword
Latest day-over-day reading per tracked term, most volatile first.
Gridlok's own index, computed from live Google SERPs via DataForSEO. Not affiliated with Google.
Compare other trackers
Every tool watches a different keyword set, so readings vary. Cross-check ours against the established trackers.
Mozcast
open_in_newThe original Google "weather report," tracking SERP temperature daily.
Semrush Sensor
open_in_newVolatility by category and device, from a large keyword set.
Accuranker Grump
open_in_newThe "Google Grump Rating": the grumpier, the more volatile.
Algoroo
open_in_newA "roo" score that rises when ranking fluctuations spike.
Advanced Web Ranking
open_in_newDaily algorithm-change tracker across desktop and mobile.
How the index works
Each day, Gridlok pulls Google's live organic results for a fixed basket of 24 broad keywords and compares them to the previous day. For every keyword we measure two things: how many results entered or left page one, and how far the results that stayed moved up or down. Those combine into a 0 to 100 score per keyword, and the basket average is the index you see above. The Day view is that raw day-over-day reading, Week averages it into seven-day blocks, and Month shows the longer-term trend. A fixed basket is the key: by always measuring the same queries, a jump in the number means Google changed, not that we changed what we were looking at.
Frequently asked questions
Q. What is Google SERP volatility?
Volatility is how much search rankings move from one day to the next. When Google tests or rolls out an algorithm change, results shuffle, and that movement is what volatility trackers measure.
Q. Can I see volatility by day, week, or month?
Yes. Use the Day, Week, and Month toggle on the chart. Day is the live day-over-day reading, Week averages the daily readings into seven-day blocks, and Month shows the longer-term trend. The daily and weekly views fill in over time from the day tracking started.
Q. How is the Gridlok Volatility Index calculated?
Every day we pull Google's live results for a fixed basket of 24 broad keywords and compare them to the previous day. For each keyword we measure how many results entered or left page one, plus how far the survivors moved, and average that into a single 0 to 100 score.
Q. What do Calm, Active, and Stormy mean?
Calm (under 25) means rankings are stable. Active (25 to 49) means noticeable movement. Stormy (50 and up) means heavy churn, which often lines up with a confirmed or unconfirmed Google algorithm update.
Q. Why does volatility matter for AI search?
Tools like ChatGPT and Google's AI Overviews pull from live Google results. When those results shake up, the sources the AI cites can change too. So volatility is an early signal that your AI visibility may be about to shift, not just your classic rankings.
Q. Is this the same as Mozcast or Semrush Sensor?
It measures the same idea, SERP movement, but on Gridlok's own keyword basket. Each tracker watches a different set of queries, so readings differ. We link the major trackers below so you can compare.
Q. What should I do when volatility is high?
Usually nothing drastic. High volatility tells you that traffic swings are probably Google-wide, not something you broke. Wait for results to settle before reacting, then note what changed once they do.
Is your site ready for AI search?
Volatility tells you when Google is moving. Our Agentic Readiness Check tells you whether AI crawlers can even read your site when it does.
Run the Agentic Check radar