Introduction
Google keeps improving its search algorithm to give users the most relevant and high-quality search results. We’ve put together a complete timeline of Google’s algorithm updates from 2012 to 2024 showing how they affect search rankings and SEO strategies.
Timeline of Google Algorithm Updates
2024 Updates
March 2024 Core Update
- Release Date: March 5, 2024
- Impact: This broad core update has an impact on several parts of the search algorithm
- Key Changes: • Better grasp of what users want • Improved assessment of content quality • Better evaluation of E-A-T indicators
January 2024 Reviews Update
- Release Date: January 8, 2024
- Impact: This update aims to boost the quality of product and service reviews in search results
- Key Changes: • More accurate detection of real useful reviews • Less visibility for thin or combined review content
2023 Updates
December 2023 Core Update
- Release Date: December 5, 2023
- Impact: Wide-ranging core update affecting many ranking factors
- Key Changes: • Additional improvements to content quality evaluation • Better grasp of how users search
October 2023 Spam Update
- Release Date: October 10, 2023
- Impact: Focused on spam content and tricky SEO methods
- Key Changes: • Better spotting of AI-created spam content • More accurate detection of link schemes
August 2023 Core Update
- Release Date: August 22, 2023
- Impact: This broad core update has an impact on many parts of the search algorithm
- Key Changes: • Better judgment of content relevance • Better assessment of how websites are structured and how users navigate them
May 2023 Core Update
- Release Date: May 16, 2023
- Impact: This major broad core update leads to widespread changes
- Key Changes: • Better evaluation of content expertise and authority • Better grasp of what users want to find when they search
March 2023 Reviews Update
- Release Date: March 7, 2023
- Impact: This update aimed to boost the standard of product and service reviews
- Key Changes: • It got better at spotting high-quality original reviews • It lowered the visibility of thin or combined review content
2022 Updates
December 2022 Link Spam Update
- Release Date: December 14, 2022
- Impact: This update took aim at link building tricks
- Key Changes: • It now spots fake links more • It looks at link quality and relevance more
September 2022 Core Update
- Release Date: September 12, 2022
- Impact: Broad core update with an influence on various ranking factors
- Key Changes: • Better evaluation of content quality and relevance • Better grasp of how users search
May 2022 Core Update
- Release Date: May 25, 2022
- Impact: Major broad core update causing widespread effects
- Key Changes: • Better assessment of content expertise and authority • Better understanding of what users want to find
2021 Updates
November 2021 Core Update
- Release Date: November 17, 2021
- Impact: This broad core update has an impact on many parts of the search algorithm
- Key Changes: • Better judgment of content quality • Better assessment of site structure and navigation
July 2021 Core Update
- Release Date: July 1, 2021
- Impact: This big broad core update leads to far-reaching effects
- Key Changes: • Better assessment of content expertise and authority • Better grasp of what users want to find
Page Experience Update
- Release Date: June 15, 2021
- Impact: Had an impact on user experience signals as ranking factors
- Key Changes: • Core Web Vitals became ranking signals • Mobile-friendliness and HTTPS grew in importance
2020 Updates
December 2020 Core Update
- Release Date: December 3, 2020
- Impact: Broad core update affected various ranking factors
- Key Changes: • Google improved its assessment of content quality and relevance • Google enhanced its understanding of user search behavior
May 2020 Core Update
- Release Date: May 4, 2020
- Impact: This broad core update had far-reaching effects
- Key Changes: • Better assessment of content expertise and authority • Greater grasp of what users want when they search
January 2020 Core Update
- Release Date: January 13, 2020
- Impact: This broad core update changed many parts of the search algorithm
- Key Changes: • Better judgment of content quality • Better evaluation of how sites are structured and how users move through them
2019 Updates
BERT Update
- Release Date: October 25, 2019
- Impact: Google’s search engine got better at understanding natural language queries
- Key Changes: • Google improved how it grasps context and subtle meanings in search queries • Google started to match search intent with relevant results more
September 2019 Core Update
- Release Date: September 24, 2019
- Impact: This broad core update affected various ranking factors
- Key Changes: • Google fine-tuned how it evaluates content quality and relevance • Google enhanced its understanding of how users behave when searching
June 2019 Core Update
- Release Date: June 3, 2019
- Impact: This broad core update had a widespread effect on search results
- Key Changes: • Better assessment of content expertise and authority • Greater grasp of what users want when they search
2018 Updates
August 2018 Core Update (Medic Update)
- Release Date: August 1, 2018
- Impact: This core update had a big effect on health and medical websites
- Key Changes: • E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness Trustworthiness) became more important • Google improved how it judges content quality in YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) areas
Mobile-First Indexing
- Release Date: March 26, 2018
- Impact: Google now looks at mobile versions of websites first to index and rank them
- Key Changes: • Websites that work well on phones get better search rankings • Having a website that adapts to different screen sizes and works well on mobile devices is now crucial
2017 Updates
Fred Update
- Release Date: March 7, 2017
- Impact: Had an impact on low-quality content and aggressive monetization tactics
- Key Changes: • Reduced rankings for sites with thin content and too many ads • Put emphasis on high-quality, user-focused content
2016 Updates
Possum Update
- Release Date: September 1, 2016
- Impact: Changed local search results and Google My Business listings
- Key Changes: • Boosted variety in local pack results • Improved filtering of similar business listings
RankBrain (Full Roll-out)
- Release Date: January 2016
- Impact: Machine learning algorithm to process and understand search queries
- Key Changes: • Better understanding of unclear or new search queries • Better linking of search intent with relevant results
2015 Updates
Mobile-Friendly Update (Mobilegeddon)
- Release Date: April 21, 2015
- Impact: Gave a boost to mobile-friendly pages in mobile search results
- Key Changes: • Mobile optimization became more important • Non-mobile-friendly sites got lower rankings in mobile search
2014 Updates
Pigeon Update
- Release Date: July 24, 2014
- Impact: Better local search results
- Key Changes: • Closer link between local and main search algorithms • Better distance and location ranking factors
2013 Updates
Hummingbird Update
- Release Date: August 22, 2013
- Impact: Big change to Google’s main algorithm
- Key Changes: • Better grasp of what users want when they search • Better handling of searches in normal language
2012 Updates
Penguin Update
- Release Date: April 24, 2012
- Impact: Had an impact on targeted link spam and manipulative link building practices
- Key Changes: • Gave penalties to sites with unnatural link profiles • Stressed the importance of high-quality relevant backlinks
Summary
Google’s algorithm updates from 2012 to 2024 have played a big role in changing the SEO scene. Main trends include:
- Focus on high-quality, user-centered content
- Growing importance of mobile optimization
- Better natural language processing and grasp of search intent
- More attention to user experience signals
- Ongoing improvements to local search algorithms
To rank high in search results, websites should put their efforts into making useful content making sure their sites work well on phones, and giving users a good experience.
FAQ
How often does Google change its algorithm?
Google makes small changes every day and big core changes a few times each year.
How can I stay up-to-date with Google’s algorithm changes?
Read the official Google Search Central blog, check trusted SEO news websites, and keep an eye on your website’s stats for big traffic shifts.
Should I change how I do SEO after every update?
Not always. Put your energy into making great content and sticking to SEO best practices instead of trying to keep up with every algorithm change.
How long does it take for an algorithm update to roll out?
Most updates take a few days to two weeks to have a full rollout, but some may need more time.
Can my site bounce back if an update hits it hard?
Yes, you can often recover from a bad hit. Focus on fixing the problems the update targeted and making your site better overall.
