History of Google Algorithm Updates
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.
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What are Google Algorithms?
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 factors 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:
Below, we have compiled a comprehensive list of Google algorithm updates sorted by their release dates.
Panda Update 3.1 (#9)
Google announced a minor Panda refresh, impacting less than 1 percent of searches.
Freshness Update
With this update, Google altered its ranking algorithm to better determine when to deliver search results that are fresher (e.g., current events, hot topics, recurring events) to be more relevant to searchers. This update impacted 35 percent of searches.
Panda Update 3.0 (#8)
Google added some new signals into the Panda algorithm and also recalculated how the algorithm impacted websites.
Panda Update 2.5 (#7)
Another iteration of the Google Panda algorithm. Then, on October 5, 2011, Google’s Matt Cutts announced to “expect some Panda-related flux in the next few weeks.” Confirmed flux dates were October 3 and October 13.
Panda Update 2.4 (#6)
Google’s Panda algorithm update was rolled out internationally for all English-speaking countries and non-English speaking countries (except for Japan, China, and Korea).
Panda Update 2.3 (#5)
Another update to the Google Panda algorithm.
Panda Update 2.2 (#4)
Another update to the Google Panda algorithm.
Panda Update 2.1 (#3)
The industry first called this update Panda 3.0, but Google clarified that it was just a data refresh, as would be true of the 2.x updates to come.
Panda Update 2.0 (#2)
The first update to the core Panda algorithm. This update incorporated additional signals, such as sites that Google users had blocked.
Panda Update
The first iteration of a then unnamed Google algorithm update was introduced (12 percent of queries were impacted), shocking the SEO industry and many big players, as well as effectively ending the “content farm” business model as it existed at the time. Initially dubbed Farmer within the industry, Google revealed soon after launch that the update’s was called Panda, named after the engineer who came up with the primary algorithm breakthrough.