How long does SEO take to show results?

The answer

There is no fixed timeline. Google's starter guide says some changes might take effect in a few hours, while others could take several months, and it suggests waiting a few weeks before judging whether a change helped. The pace depends on the site, the topic, the competition and the quality of the work. Measure over weeks and months, not days, and be careful with anyone who guarantees a particular result or date.