Multiple Google support forum discussions call attention to a possible bug in Google’s algorithm that causes select generic top level domains (gTLDs) to disappear completely from the search engine results pages (SERPs). Multiple publishers with the same kind of gTLD are reporting the exact same Google Weekend Ranking Bug.
What they all have in common is the type of domain name and a complete disappearance from Google’s SERPs on the weekend, some unable to even rank for their site names.
This issue came to light in a tweet by Olesia Korobka (@Giridja):
The question is if all websites in .media, club, clinic etc experience the issue? Or could it be a mix of locality and tld or something else?https://t.co/kehMg3phLS
— 🐝 Olesia Korobka 💙💛🐝 (@Giridja) January 16, 2024
These issues are affecting a form of gTLDs that are also known as ICANN-era generic top-level domains. These are domains like .academy, .car, .care, etc.
The person who recently reported the issue shared a graph showing traffic to the site crashing approximately every weekend then returning on Monday. They reported that this pattern began in November.
Is This A Quality Issue?
In my opinion this does not resemble a quality issue. A quality issue affects rankings every day of the week, all month long.
The Google Weekend Ranking Bug is limited to certain kinds of domains and only on the weekends.