Google Algorithm Updates
We live within a rapidly-evolving and ever-changing digital landscape, where understanding and adapting to Google’s algorithms has become paramount to online visibility.
Our comprehensive overview of Google algorithm updates is designed to help your business stay ahead of the game, boost your online presence, and increase your digital visibility.
SEO & The Google Algorithm
In the world of digital marketing, organic search engine optimization (SEO) is the cornerstone of online success. At the heart of SEO lies the intricate dance between your website and Google’s ever-evolving algorithms.
Google’s algorithms are the driving force behind the search engine giant’s ability to deliver highly relevant and authoritative content to users worldwide.
The Evolution Of Google Algorithm Updates: Present-2003
Here’s a short summary of every Google algorithm update in reverse chronological order, starting from the current year all the way back to 2003.
Google Algorithm Updates In 2023
September 14
Helpful Content System Update
- “Improved classifier” added to helpful content system.
- Revisions to Google’s search documentation including:
- Hosted third-party content
- Content date changes
- Content additions/removals
August 22 · Core
August 2023 Core Update
- Core update rollout started on August 22, 2023 and completion was confirmed on September 7, 2023.
- Google did not provide guidance on update.
May 23
Topic Authority System
- Introduction to system which elevates expert and authoritative content within Google Search Results & Google News.
- Ranking/visibility signals implemented to understand publication expertise on niche topics & locations.
- While Google had been using this system for several years, this was the first time they openly discussed it.
April 12
Reviews Update
- Arguably one of the more volatile updates to the product reviews system, compared to prior product reviews system updates.
- Guidance language on product reviews was altered to reflect all types of reviews.
- Once titled as “Product Reviews System” now updated to “Reviews System”.
March 15 · Core
March 2023 Core Update
- The March 2023 core update brought no new guidance from Google.
- Level of volatility was either equal to or greater than that of previous core updates.
February 21
Product Reviews Update
- Determined as the final update to product reviews
- Support for 10 additional languages was added as prior updates had focused solely on English-based reviews.
Google Algorithm Updates In 2022
December 6
Helpful Content System Update
- Google launched this update with new signals added to its classifier.
- It was a global update impacting all languages, and it overlapped with the link spam update (Dec. 14).
December 14
Link Spam Update
- A global update aimed at neutralizing the influence of unnatural links.
- The rollout overlapped with the helpful content system update (Dec. 6) and concluded on January 12 (29 days, longer than expected due to the holidays).
October 19 · Core
Spam Update
- Google implemented a spam update without specific emphasis on links, content, or other forms of spam.
- This global update impacted all languages and was completed within less than 48 hours.
September 20 · Core
Product Reviews Update
- Launched in September 2022, coinciding with the September 2022 Core Update
- aimed to reward English-language product reviews that provided helpful and useful insights to searchers.
- The rollout was finished by September 26 (6 days).
- On October 12, Google added more example categories of sites that may be impacted by the product reviews update.
September 12 · Core
Core Algorithm Update
- Launched three days after the helpful content update finished rolling out, the September 2022 core update was less significant than prior core updates.
- The rollout was completed by September 26 (14 days).
August 25 · Core
Helpful Content Update
- A major initiative launched by Google to promote helpful and unique content.
- This updated begun prioritizing original content tailored for people rather than produced for search engine results.
Google Algorithm Updates In 2021
December 1 · Core
Product Reviews Update
- Designed to reward product reviews that offered insightful analysis and in-depth, original research, this update was introduced in December 2021.
- Google provided new advice for this update, encouraging more multimedia “evidence” and links to multiple sellers.
- The rollout was finished by December 21 (20 days), and it had a greater impact compared to the April 2021 product reviews update.
November 30 · Core
Local Search Update
- Google rebalanced various factors in generating local search results in this November 2021 update.
- Although the update was not confirmed until December 16, it concluded within 9 days.
November 3 · Core
Spam Update
- Google announced an update to its search spam detection systems.
- Their guidance was for webmasters to follow Google’s best practices for search, which are outlined in Google’s Webmaster Guidelines.
- The rollout was completed within 8 days.
November 17 · Core
Core Update
- Google reiterated its guidance on core updates.
- The rollout was completed by November 30 (13 days) and made a significant impact.
July 1 · Core
Core Update
- This July 2021 core update was the second of two back-to-back core updates.
- Like other core updates, it was comprehensive, making slight alterations to the entire algorithm.
- The rollout was completed within 12 days, with a substantial impact.
June 2 · Core
Core Update
- This update was the first of two consecutive core updates in June 2021.
- Google decided to release these updates separately, aiming to impact a wide range of sites with improvements.
- The rollout was completed in 13 days, and it had varied impacts.
April 8 · Core
Product Reviews Update
- Launched in April 2021, aimed to elevate product reviews that surpassed the norm.
- It encouraged in-depth research, insightful analysis, and was more open to input from experts or enthusiasts.
- Google provided a list of nine questions for webmasters to ensure their product reviews met these criteria.
- The rollout was completed within 19 days, and its impact was not as widespread as previous product review updates.
February 22 · Core
Page Experience Update (Desktop)
- This update, a part of the Page Experience Update, included all the signals from the mobile version of the page experience update, except for the requirement for the page to be mobile-friendly.
- The rollout was completed within 9 days.
Google Algorithm Updates In 2020
December 3 · Core
December 2020 Core Update
- Enhanced the quality and relevance of search results.
- It was a significant update that impacted websites across various languages.
October 15 · Core
BERT Expands
- Google announced that BERT powered nearly all English-based search queries
- Signifying its increased impact on search results.
May 4 · Core
May 2020 Core Update
- Provided users with more relevant and high-quality search results.
January 13 · Core
January 2020 Core Update
- Aimed to improve search results by making comprehensive changes to Google’s core ranking algorithm.
- These updates offer a glimpse into the constant evolution of Google’s search algorithms over the years
- Each aimed at improving the user experience and the visibility of top-ranking pages.
Google Algorithm Updates In 2019
September 24 · Core
September 2019 Core Update
- A broad core algorithm update aimed at enhancing search results in various niches and industries.
June 3 · Core
June 2019 Core Update
- Improve the user experience across multiple areas of Google’s algorithm.
March 15 · Core
March 2019 Core Update
- Ensure search results more relevant.
- Initially, it was released without a name, leading to confusion before Google officially confirmed it as the March 2019 Core Update.
Google Algorithm Updates In 2018
August 1 · Core
August 2018 Core Update (aka Medic Update)
- A broad core algorithm update aimed at improving the quality of search results.
- It had a significant impact on various websites.
- Google advised webmasters to focus on creating excellent content.
April 20 · Core
April 2018 Core Update
- Provided users with the most relevant and high-quality content for their search queries.
March 12 · Core
March 2018 Core Update
- Improved the quality and relevance of search results by making broad changes to Google’s algorithm.
January 18 · Core
January 2018 Core Update
- A comprehensive core algorithm update that aimed to improve search results in various aspects.
Google Algorithm Updates In 2017
December 14–19 · Core
Mid-December Updates
- Google confirmed several minor changes aimed at improving search result relevance.
- These changes negatively affected sites that targeted numerous keyword variations.
August 22 · Core
The Hawk Update
- Corrected aspects of the Possum update
- Made it more likely for local businesses to appear in relevant search queries.
March 9 · Core
Fred Update
- An unconfirmed ranking update that seemed to target link quality aspects of Google’s algorithm.
- It aimed to penalize websites with low-quality and spammy backlinks.
Google Algorithm Updates In 2016
September 23 · Core
Penguin Update 4.0
- A major update to Google’s Penguin algorithm
- Focusing on penalizing websites with manipulative link-building practices and improving the quality of search results.
- It became part of Google’s core algorithm.
September 1 · Core
Possum Update
- Affected local listings by adjusting Google’s filters to improve SERP relevancy.
- It aimed to provide more diverse and accurate local search results.
April 21 · Core
Mobile-Friendly Update 2
- An enhancement to the original Mobile-Friendly Update
- Favoring mobile-optimized websites and improving the mobile search experience.
January 17 · Core
January 2016 Core Update
- A relatively weak core update that aimed to improve search result quality.
Google Algorithm Updates In 2015
October 25 · Core
RankBrain
- Powered by machine learning and aimed to process search queries and webpages more like humans do.
- It helped Google better understand user intent and deliver more relevant search results.
October 25 · Core
BERT Natural Language Processing Update
- The BERT update introduced Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) technology
- Impacted 10% of searches.
- Aimed to improve Google’s understanding of user queries and webpage content.
July 18 · Core
Panda Update 4.2
- A refresh of the Panda algorithm.
- Impacting a portion of English language queries.
- It aimed to reduce the visibility of low-quality and thin content.
May · Core
Quality Update
- Aimed to improve search results by assessing the quality of websites and content.
- It aimed to reduce the visibility of low-quality websites.
April 21 · Core
Mobile-Friendly Update
- Designed to increase the effect of mobile-friendly ranking signals
- Favoring websites that were optimized for mobile devices.
- It aimed to enhance the user experience for mobile search users.
Google Algorithm Updates In 2014
December 22 · Core
Pigeon Expansion
- Provided more useful, relevant, and accurate local search results by tying them more closely to traditional web search ranking signals.
December 10 · Core
Penguin Everflux
- Part of Google’s ongoing efforts to maintain real-time updates for the Penguin algorithm
- Allowing it to impact ranking for individual pages, parts of sites, or entire sites.
November 27 · Core
Penguin Update 3.1
- Penguin Update 3.1 was another iteration of the Penguin algorithm
- Penalizing websites with manipulative link-building practices to improve search result quality.
October 21 · Core
Pirate Update 2
- Targeted websites that hosted copyright-infringing content, aiming to reduce their visibility in search results.
October 17 · Core
Penguin Update 3.0
- A significant update to the Penguin algorithm
- Focusing on penalizing websites that violated Google’s quality guidelines through manipulative link-building practices.
September 25 · Core
Panda Update 4.1
- Aimed to increase precision and allow more high-quality small and medium-sized sites to rank better in search results.
July 24 · Core
Pigeon Update
- A local search update designed to improve both the accuracy and user experience for local search results.
Google Algorithm Updates In 2013
September 26 · Core
Hummingbird
- A major algorithm update aimed at improving Google’s ability to understand natural language and deliver more relevant search results.
- It focused on providing more accurate answers to users’ queries.
July 18 · Core
Panda Update 26
- Introduced new signals to make Panda more finely targeted in penalizing websites with low-quality content and user experiences.
June 21 · Core
Multi-Week Update
- Made several changes to Google’s ranking algorithm over a period of several weeks to improve search results.
June 11 · Core
Payday Loan Update
- Targeted websites in the payday loan industry that were using spammy tactics to improve their search rankings.
- It aimed to reduce their visibility in search results.
May 22 · Core
Penguin Update 2.0
- A significant update to the Penguin algorithm
- Targeting websites with manipulative link-building practices and penalizing them to improve the quality of search results.
March 14 · Core
Panda Update 25
- An unconfirmed iteration of the Panda algorithm
- Speculated to focus on reducing the visibility of websites with low-quality content and user experiences.
January 22 · Core
Panda Update 24
- Reduced the visibility of low-quality websites by assessing the quality of content and user experience.
- It impacted 1.2% of English queries.
Google Algorithm Updates In 2012
December 21 · Core
Panda Update 23
- Part of Google’s ongoing efforts to reduce the visibility of low-quality websites with poor content and user experiences.
November 5 · Core
Panda Update 21
- Introduced further changes to the Panda algorithm
- Focusing on penalizing websites with low-quality content and user experiences.
November 21 · Core
Panda Update 22
- Continued Google’s efforts to improve search results by penalizing websites with low-quality content and user experiences.
October 9 · Core
Page Layout Algorithm 2 (aka Top Heavy 2)
- Reduced the visibility of websites with excessive ads above the fold, improving the user experience.
October 5 · Core
Penguin Update 1.2
- Significant update to the Penguin algorithm, targeting websites that engaged in manipulative link-building practices to enhance the quality of search results.
September 27 · Core
Panda Update 20
- Reduced the visibility of low-quality websites by assessing content and user experiences.
September 27 · Core
Exact-Match Domain (EMD) Update
- Prevented low-quality websites from ranking well solely because their domain names matched search terms.
September 18 · Core
Panda Update 3.9.2
- Aimed to reduce the visibility of low-quality websites by assessing content and user experiences.
August 20 · Core
Panda Update 3.9.1
- Improved search results by reducing the visibility of low-quality websites.
August 10 · Core
Pirate Update
- Reduced the visibility of websites that received a significant number of Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown requests for hosting copyright-infringing content.
July 24 · Core
Panda Update 3.9
- Reduced the visibility of websites with low-quality content and poor user experiences. It impacted 1.2% of English queries.
June 8 · Core
Panda Update 3.7
- Continued Google’s efforts to penalize websites with low-quality content and user experiences.
June 25 · Core
Panda Update 3.8
- Reduced the visibility of websites with low-quality content and user experiences.
May 25 · Core
Penguin Update 1.1
- Reduced the visibility of websites that used manipulative link-building tactics to improve their search rankings, enhancing the quality of search results.
April 27 · Core
Panda Update 3.6
- Reduced the visibility of low-quality websites with poor content and user experiences.
April 24 · Core
Penguin Update
- Penalized websites that violated Google’s quality guidelines by using manipulative link-building practices to improve search rankings.
- The goal of this update was to decrease rankings for sites that Google believed were violating Google’s quality guidelines.
- In particular, websites that were buying links or obtaining them through link networks that were primarily designed to boost Google rankings.
April 19 · Core
Panda Update 3.5
- Part of Google’s ongoing efforts to reduce the visibility of low-quality websites with poor content and user experiences.
March 23 · Core
Panda Update 3.4
- Improved search results by penalizing websites with low-quality content and user experiences.
February 27 · Core
Venice
- Provided users with more relevant and localized search results, focusing on local search queries.
February 27 · Core
Panda Update 3.3
- Reduced the visibility of websites with low-quality content and poor user experiences.
January 19 · Core
Page Layout Algorithm (aka Top Heavy)
- Reduced the visibility of websites with excessive ads above the fold. It focused on improving the user experience.
January 18 · Core
Panda Update 3.2
- Decreased the visibility of low-quality websites by assessing content and user experiences.
Google Algorithm Updates In 2011
November 3 · Core
Freshness Update
- Provided users with more up-to-date search results by considering the freshness of content.
November 18 · Core
Panda Update 3.1
- Reduced the visibility of low-quality websites by assessing content and user experiences.
October 19 · Core
Panda Update 3.0
- Major update to the Panda algorithm, focusing on reducing the visibility of low-quality websites.
September 28 · Core
Panda Update 2.5
- Refresh of the Panda algorithm, aiming to reduce the visibility of low-quality websites.
August 12 · Core
Panda Update 2.4
- Aimed to reduce the visibility of low-quality websites by assessing content and user experiences.
July 23 · Core
Panda Update 2.3
- Continued Google’s efforts to reduce the visibility of low-quality websites.
June 21 · Core
Panda Update 2.2
- Reduced the visibility of websites with low-quality content and user experiences.
May 9 · Core
Panda Update 2.1
- Refresh of the Panda algorithm, focusing on reducing the visibility of low-quality websites.
April 11 · Core
Panda Update 2.0
- Aimed to improve search results by penalizing websites with low-quality content and user experiences.
February 24 · Core
Panda Update 1.0
- Initial launch of the Panda algorithm, aiming to reduce the visibility of low-quality websites.
January 3 · Core
Overstock.com Penalty
- Overstock.com was penalized for a practice that involved encouraging universities and colleges to add links to Overstock pages on their websites in exchange for student discounts, aiming to manipulate search rankings.
January 28 · Core
Attribution Update
- Provide more relevant search results by understanding the attribution of content and giving more weight to original sources.
Google Algorithm Updates In 2010
December 1 · Core
Negative Reviews
- Google clarified that negative reviews and ratings could impact a business’s visibility in Google Maps search results.
- This update aimed to improve the accuracy of local search results.
November 9 · Core
Instant Previews
- Allowed users to see a visual preview of a webpage directly from search results. It aimed to improve the search experience.
September 8 · Core
Instant Search
- Provided real-time search results as users typed their queries, enhancing the search experience.
April 28 · Core
May Day Update
- Aimed to improve the quality of long-tail search results by making algorithm adjustments that favored high-quality, relevant content.
April 20 · Core
Google Places
- Helped users find local information by providing a dedicated interface for local business listings and reviews.
January 22 · Core
Local Search Algorithm Update
- Improved the quality of local search results by making adjustments to local rankings and how information was presented.
Google Algorithm Updates In 2009
December 7 · Core
Real-Time Search
- Incorporated real-time data from various sources, including social media, to provide more up-to-date search results.
December 4 · Core
Personalization Update
- Aimed to provide more personalized search results based on users’ search history and preferences.
August 10 · Core
Caffeine Web Index Update
- Caffeine was a major infrastructure update that aimed to provide faster and more up-to-date search results.
February 17 · Core
Vince Update (aka Brand Update)
- The Vince Update aimed to give established brands more visibility in search results, provided the user’s query suggested brand preference.
February 12 · Core
Rel-Canonical Tag
- The rel-canonical tag was introduced to allow webmasters to specify the preferred version of a webpage when dealing with duplicate content issues.
Google Algorithm Updates In 2008
August 28 · Core
Google Suggest
- Google Suggest provided search suggestions as users typed their queries, enhancing the search experience.
May · Core
Google’s User Interface Update
- This update aimed to improve Google’s user interface, including the introduction of a new look for Google search results.
Google Algorithm Updates In 2007
May 16 · Core
Universal Search
- Universal Search integrated various types of search results, such as images, videos, news, and local listings, into the main search results page.
Google Algorithm Updates In 2006
November 17 · Core
Supplemental Update
- The Supplemental Update aimed to improve the handling of supplemental results and their ranking in search results.
Google Algorithm Updates In 2005
October 18 · Core
Jagger Update
- The Jagger Update was a series of updates aimed at addressing issues with spam and low-quality websites in search results.
Jan. 18 · Core
Nofollow Attribute
- Google introduced the nofollow attribute to allow webmasters to indicate which links should not be followed by search engines for ranking purposes.
Google Algorithm Updates In 2004
February · Core
Brandy Update
- The Brandy Update aimed to improve the quality of search results by making adjustments to the way Google handled synonyms and other aspects of its algorithm.
Google Algorithm Updates In 2003
November · Core
Florida Update
- The Florida Update was a significant change to Google’s algorithm that aimed to penalize websites that used aggressive optimization techniques, known as “over-optimization.
Please note that while the list above provides an extensive overview of notable Google algorithm updates from 2003 to 2020, it doesn't include every minor update or specific date for all changes. Google continuously makes adjustments to its algorithm, and this list highlights the major updates and changes that had significant impacts on search results and website rankings during this period.
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