SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION
History of Google Algorithm Updates
Google’s algorithms are a complex system used to retrieve data from its search index and instantly deliver the best possible results for a query. The search engine uses a combination of algorithms and numerous ranking signals to deliver webpages ranked by relevance on its search engine results pages (SERPs).
In its early years, Google only made a handful of updates to its algorithms. Now, Google makes thousands of changes every year.
Most of these updates are so slight that they go completely unnoticed. However, on occasion, the search engine rolls out major algorithmic updates that significantly impact the SERPs such as: Fred, Intrusive Interstitials Update, Mobilegeddon, RankBrain, Panda, Penguin, Hummingbird, Pigeon, Payday, EMD (Exact Match Domain) and Page Layout Algorithm.
Below we have compiled a full list of Google algorithm launches, updates, and refreshes that have rolled out over the years, as well as links to resources for SEO professionals who want to understand each of these changes.
All Google Algorithm Updates
May 4, 2020
May 2020 Core Update
January 22, 2020
Featured Snippet Deduplication
January 13, 2020
January 2020 Core Update
December 9, 2019
BERT (Worldwide)
October 25, 2019
BERT Update
September 24, 2019
Broad Core Algorithm Update
June 2, 2019
June 2019 Core Update
March 12, 2019
March 2019 Core Update (a.k.a. Florida 2)
February 13, 2019
Valentine’s Day Update
October 31, 2018
Unconfirmed Halloween Update
September 27, 2018
A “Small” Update
August 1, 2018
Broad Core Algorithm Update
April 16, 2018
Broad Core Algorithm Update
March 9, 2018
Broad Core Algorithm Update
December 12, 2017
Maccabees Update
September 8, 2017
Fall Flux
August 19, 2017
Quality Update
July 9, 2017
Quality Update
June 25, 2017
June 25 Update
May 17, 2017
Quality Update
March 7, 2017
Fred
February 7, 2017
February 7 Update
February 1, 2017
February 1 Update
January 10, 2017
Intrusive Interstitials Update
November 10, 2016
Unnamed Update
September 23, 2016
Penguin Update 4.0 & Core Algorithm Integration
June 1, 2016
Quality Update
May 12, 2016
Mobile-Friendly Update (#2)
January 11, 2016
Panda Core Algorithm Incorporation
October 26, 2015
RankBrain
July 17, 2015
Panda Update 4.2 (#28)
May 3, 2015
Quality Update
April 21, 2015
Mobile-Friendly Update
October 17, 2014
Penguin Update 3.0
September 23, 2014
Panda Update 4.1 (#27)
July 24, 2014
Pigeon Update
June 12, 2014
Payday Loan Update 3.0
May 20, 2014
Panda Update 4.0 (#26)
May 16, 2014
Payday Loan Update 2.0
February 6, 2014
Page Layout Refresh
October 4, 2013
Penguin Update 2.1
September 26, 2013
Hummingbird Update
June 11, 2013
Payday Loan Update
May 22, 2013
Penguin Update 2.0
March 14, 2013
Panda Update (#25)
January 22, 2013
Panda Update (#24)
December 21, 2012
Panda Update (#23)
November 21, 2012
Panda Update (#22)
November 5, 2012
Panda Update (#21)
October 9, 2012
Page Layout Update #2
October 5, 2012
Penguin Update 1.2
September 28, 2012
Exact Match Domain Update
September 27, 2012
Panda Update (#20)
September 18, 2012
Panda Update 3.9.2 (#19)
August 20, 2012
Panda Update 3.9.1 (#18)
July 24, 2012
Panda Update 3.9 (#17)
June 25, 2012
Panda Update 3.8 (#16)
June 8, 2012
Panda update 3.7 (#15)
May 26, 2012
Penguin Update 1.1
April 27, 2012
Panda Update 3.6 (#14)
April 24, 2012
Penguin Update
April 19, 2012
Panda Update 3.5 (#13)
March 23, 2012
Panda Update 3.4 (#12)
February 27, 2012
Panda Update 3.3 (#11)
February 27, 2012
Venice Update
January 19, 2012
Page Layout Update
January 18, 2012
Panda Update 3.2 (#10)
November 18, 2011
Panda Update 3.1 (#9)
November 3, 2011
Freshness Update
October 19, 2011
Panda Update 3.0 (#8)
September 28, 2011
Panda Update 2.5 (#7)
August 12, 2011
Panda Update 2.4 (#6)
July 23, 2011
Panda Update 2.3 (#5)
June 21, 2011
Panda Update 2.2 (#4)
May 9, 2011
Panda Update 2.1 (#3)
April 11, 2011
Panda Update 2.0 (#2)
February 23, 2011
Panda Update
April 28, 2010
MayDay Update
August 10, 2009
Caffeine Update
January 18, 2009
Vince Update
December 15, 2005
Big Daddy Update
September 1, 2005
Jagger Update
November 16, 2003
Florida Update
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