Google SEO news: Google algorithm updates
Google has a long history of famous algorithm updates, search index changes, and refreshes. Below is a history of the major Google search algorithm updates.
How many times does Google update its search algorithms?
Google seems to be changing more often than it stays the same. Most experts estimate that Google changes its search algorithm around 500 to 600 times each year. That’s somewhere between once and twice each day.
While most of these changes don’t significantly change the SEO landscape, some updates are significant and may change the way we go about writing for SEO.
How do I keep up with Google algorithm changes?
There are several ways to keep up with Google’s constant changes. One way is to regularly check your site’s web traffic in your analytics platform and search rankings for your target keywords. You can also go straight to Google’s site, where they outline their named updates as they roll them out.
Google Algorithm Updates
Recent Critical Google Updates You Should Know
Link Spam Update (July 26, 2021)
On July 26, 2021, Google launched the “Link Spam Update,” a comprehensive effort to nullify spammy links across various languages. This update specifically targets and nullifies the impact of low-quality, spammy links. Consequently, websites with such links may experience a decline in rankings. Google continues to emphasize the importance of high-quality content and user-centric services over manipulative SEO practices like link manipulation and keyword stuffing.
Google July 2021 Core Update
In June and July 2021, Google released two back-to-back core updates, the first since December 2020. These updates were broad, altering the algorithm without focusing on any specific function. The July 2021 update, rolled out from July 1st to July 12th, affected rankings for many websites. If your site experienced changes, reviewing and adhering to SEO best practices is advisable.
Google June 2021 Core Update
The June 2021 Core Update, the first of the two mid-2021 updates, was also comprehensive and wide-reaching. Google’s decision to split the updates was due to some planned changes not being ready in June. This update impacted many sites’ SEO rankings, and following Google’s best practices can help recover from any negative effects.
Google Page Experience Update (May 2021)
The May 2021 Google Page Experience Update marked a significant change, with user experience becoming a ranking factor. This update introduced Core Web Vitals, which assess factors like load time, intrusive ads, and content stability during loading. Combining this with previous updates like the mobile-friendly and HTTPS ranking boosts, this update aims to improve overall user experience on websites.
Google Passage Ranking (February 2021)
Launched in February 2021, the Google Passage Ranking update allows Google to rank specific passages within web pages for targeted queries. This update enhances the accuracy of search results for specific questions, reducing the time users spend searching for precise information.
December 2020 Core Update
The last major update of 2020, the December Core Update, impacted SEO across all languages. Understanding these updates can explain changes in rankings, which may not always require immediate fixes as rankings can stabilize post-update.
Google BERT Expands (October 2020)
In October 2020, Google announced that BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers) now processes nearly all English search queries. This expansion, from initially covering 10% of searches, represents a significant advancement in Google’s natural language processing capabilities.
May 2020 Core Update
The May 2020 Core Update, rolled out over several weeks, was broad and comprehensive, not targeting specific aspects of the algorithm but rather enhancing overall search result quality.
January 2020 Core Update
A relatively minor update, the January 2020 Core Update had less impact compared to the more substantial May 2020 update.
Google BERT Natural Language Processing Update (October 2019)
In late October 2019, Google introduced BERT, a significant update affecting search queries by better understanding natural language. Initially covering 10% of searches, BERT has since expanded, influencing search results throughout 2019 and beyond.
September 2019 Core Update
The September 2019 Core Update was another broad algorithm update, followed by the January 2020 update. These updates aim to improve the relevance of search results.
June 2019 Core Update
Pre-announced by Google, the June 2019 Core Update improved user experience across various aspects of the algorithm. It was followed by the September 2019 update and preceded the March 2019 update.
March 2019 Core Update
The March 2019 Core Update caused some disruption in the SEO community due to its unannounced nature. Google later clarified it as the March 2019 Core Update.
August 2018 Core Update (Medic Update)
The August 2018 core update, known as the Medic Update, significantly impacted SEO rankings, rewarding previously under-rewarded sites. Google’s advice to webmasters experiencing ranking drops remains to focus on creating high-quality content.
April 2018 Core Update
The April 2018 Core Update aimed at improving user experience by delivering more relevant content, announced post-speculation within the SEO community.
March 2018 Core Update
Followed closely by the April 2018 update, the March 2018 Core Update was a broad algorithm change focusing on improving query results.
January 2018 Core Update
The January 2018 Core Update targeted various aspects of SERPs, with subsequent updates in March and April of the same year.
December 2017 Core Update
The December 2017 Core Update significantly impacted mobile SERPs and sites lacking Schema.org integration, unusual for a pre-holiday update.
Google Local August 2017 Hawk Update
The Hawk Update corrected the earlier Possum update, ensuring fairer local rankings for businesses close to competitors already ranking on SERPs.
Google Fred Update (March 2017)
The unconfirmed “Fred” update in March 2017 targeted spammy link practices, affecting black hat SEO tactics.
Google Local September 2016 Possum Update
The Possum Update improved local search result relevance by eliminating redundant listings, although it negatively impacted some businesses, later corrected by the Hawk Update.
Google RankBrain Algorithm (2016)
The RankBrain Algorithm introduced machine learning to improve search result processing, enhancing Google’s understanding of search queries.
Google Mobile-Friendly Algorithm (May 2016)
This update boosted mobile-friendly sites in mobile search results, continuing the trend of prioritizing mobile optimization.
September 2013 Google Hummingbird
The Hummingbird update focused on understanding query meaning rather than individual keywords, improving search result relevance.
April 2015 Google Mobile-Friendly Update
Dubbed “mobilegeddon,” this update prioritized mobile-friendly pages in mobile search results, significantly impacting SERPs.
February 2011 Google Panda Update
The Panda Update targeted low-quality and duplicate content, periodically updated to refine search results.
April 2012 Google Penguin Update
The Penguin Update addressed link spamming and manipulative SEO practices, periodically updated to catch new offenders and release false positives.
July 2014 Google Pigeon Update
The Pigeon Update improved local search result relevance by aligning local and traditional web ranking signals.
June 2013 Google Payday Update
Targeting spammy queries like payday loans, the Payday Update cleaned up search results for heavily spammed terms.
August 2012 Google Pirate Update
The Pirate Update addressed sites with numerous copyright infringement reports, periodically updated to refine its impact.
September 2012 Google EMD Update
The Exact Match Domain Update targeted low-quality sites with domain names matching search terms, periodically updated to maintain relevance.
January 2012 Google Top Heavy Update
The Top Heavy Update penalized sites with excessive ads, periodically updated to balance ad content.