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Google Search: Major Updates

3 min read

Below is a concise list of major Google algorithm updates from 1998 to 2025, focusing on significant core updates and pivotal changes that shaped search rankings. Minor updates, spam updates, or unconfirmed tweaks are excluded for brevity.

UpdateWhat It Did
1998: Google Launch (PageRank)Introduced PageRank, ranking pages based on link quantity and quality. Foundation of Google’s early algorithm.
2000: Google Toolbar UpdateEnhanced PageRank visibility via the Google Toolbar, emphasizing link-based authority. Early shift toward user signals.
2003: Florida UpdateFirst major update targeting keyword stuffing and manipulative SEO tactics, shaking up affiliate sites and low-quality content.
2005: Jagger UpdateFocused on link quality, penalizing paid links, link farms, and low-quality backlinks. Strengthened emphasis on relevance.
2009: Vince UpdatePrioritized big brands with strong authority, boosting trusted domains in rankings.
2010: Mayday UpdateTargeted long-tail keyword content, demoting thin or low-quality pages, especially in eCommerce.
2011: Panda UpdateLaunched February 2011, aimed at low-quality content, content farms, and duplicate content. Introduced content quality as a major ranking factor.
2012: Penguin UpdateLaunched April 2012, targeted manipulative link-building (e.g., spammy backlinks). Emphasized natural link profiles.
2012: Exact Match Domain (EMD) UpdateReduced rankings for low-quality sites relying on exact-match domains for SEO advantage.
2013: Hummingbird UpdateOverhauled algorithm to focus on semantic search, understanding user intent and conversational queries.
2014: Pigeon UpdateImproved local search rankings, integrating traditional SEO signals with local results.
2015: Mobile-Friendly UpdateAlso known as Mobilegeddon—boosted mobile-friendly sites in mobile search results, emphasizing responsive design.
2015: RankBrainIntroduced machine learning to interpret queries and rank results, prioritizing relevance for complex searches.
2016: Possum UpdateEnhanced local search accuracy, filtering duplicate listings and boosting proximity-based results.
2017: Fred UpdateTargeted low-quality content sites, especially those with heavy ad monetization and poor user experience.
2018: Medic UpdateAlso know as the August 2018 Core Update—broad core update impacting “Your Money, Your Life” (YMYL) sites, emphasizing E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness).
2019: BERT UpdateRolled out October 2019, improved natural language processing, better understanding context in queries.
May 2020 Core UpdateBroad update causing significant ranking volatility, focusing on content quality and relevance.
December 2020 Core UpdateFurther refined content quality signals, impacting sites with thin or outdated content.
June/July 2021 Core UpdatesTwin updates refining ranking signals, targeting content quality and user experience.
2021: Page Experience UpdateIntegrated Core Web Vitals (e.g., loading speed, interactivity) as ranking factors, emphasizing UX.
May 2022 Core UpdateBroad update enhancing content relevance, causing moderate ranking shifts.
2022: Helpful Content UpdateTargeted content created for users (not SEO), demoting low-value or AI-generated content.
March 2023 Core UpdateFocused on content quality and E-E-A-T, causing widespread ranking fluctuations.
August 2023 Core UpdateStrengthened penalties for low-quality content, emphasized user-first content strategies.
August 2024 Core UpdateRan August 15–September 3, 2024 (19 days). Promoted high-quality content, demoted SEO-driven material.
November 2024 Core UpdateRan November 11–December 5, 2024 (24 days). Prioritized user-focused content, less volatile than other 2024 updates.
December 2024 Core UpdateRan December 12–18, 2024 (6 days). Improved result quality, moderate ranking volatility.
March 2025 Core UpdateRan March 13–27, 2025 (14 days). Enhanced relevance, emphasized high-quality content.
June 2025 Core UpdateRan June 30–July 17, 2025 (17 days). Improved result quality, aimed to better surface relevant, satisfying content from all types of sites.

Updated on July 18, 2025

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