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 time to time.
Most of these updates are so slight that they go completely unnoticed.
Below we have collected a list of Google algorithm launches, updates, and refreshes that have rolled out over the years.
Google Algorithm Updates
Google September 2022 Product Review Algorithm Update (20 Sep 2022)
Google confirms the September 2022 product review update, the fifth in a series of updates targeting low-quality reviews, is now rolling out. The update begins rolling out on September 20, and will take up to a week to roll out.
September Core Ranking Update by Google(13 Sep 2022)
A core algorithm update is announced by Google on Sep 13, 2022 when changes are made that are large enough to be felt by publishers and search marketers. This update will rollout within 2 weeks.
May 22 Core Update (22 May 2022)
Google announced via Twitter the release of a broad core update, named the May 2022 Core Update. This is part of a series of updates Google makes to the overall ranking process throughout the year. This update began on May 22, 2022, and was completed on June 9, 2022.
March 2022 Product Algorithm Update (March 23, 2022)
Google announced via the Search Central Blog an update to product review rankings that would enable them to identify high-quality reviews. The update should take a few weeks to complete.
You can learn more about the quest to provide better product reviews to search users on The Keyword and get Google’s advice on how to write high-quality product reviews.
Page Experience Update (February 22, 2022)
Google announced via Twitter that the page experience update is slowly rolling out for desktop search, expected to be completed in March 2022. Google offers developers more information about the page experience update on Google Search Central.
December 2021 Product Review Update (December 1, 2021)
Google announced via the Google Search Central Twitter account that the December 2021 Product Review Update began rolling out for English language pages today, and is estimated to take three weeks to complete. They shared a link to a blog post on product review updates and your website for more information.
November 2021 Local Search Update (November 30, 2021)
Google announced via Twitter a November 2021 Local Search Update that began on November 30th and was completed on December 8th. Google also suggested that businesses review their guidance on how to improve local rankings.
Broad Core Update (November 17, 2021)
Google Search Central announced via Twitter that a broad core update would be released later that day. They referred webmasters to their documentation on what site owners need to know about core updates, last updated in August 2019.
Google Spam Update (November 3, 2021)
According to a tweet from Google Search Liasion, a spam update was rolled out from November 3 – 11, 2021 as a part of their regular work to improve search results. They suggested in their announcement that webmasters should continue following Webmaster Guidelines.
Google Link Spam Algorithm Update (July 26, 2021)
Google announced an algorithm update aimed at identifying and nullifying link spam was beginning to roll out. Google warned that any sites taking part in link spam tactics could see ranking changes – with sponsored, guest, and affiliate content most likely to be impacted. Google said the update should be fully rolled out in “at least” two weeks and will impact multiple languages.
July 2021 Core Update Completed (July 12, 2021)
Google Search Liaison confirmed via Twitter that the July 2021 Core Update rollout was effectively completed on July 12th. No additional details were provided.
July 2021 Core Update (July 1, 2021)
Google Search Liaison announced via Twitter the July 2021 Core Update is rolling out and will take one to two weeks to complete. Google’s guidance for core updates can be found on the Google Search Central Blog.
Spam Update Part 2 (June 28, 2021)
Google Search Liaison announced via Twitter that the second part of their spam update has begun on June 28th and will likely be completed on the same day. The original announcement referred to a post on the Google Search Central Blog, updated in April 2021, on how Google fought Search spam in 2020.
June 2021 Spam Update (June 23, 2021)
Google’s Danny Sullivan announced via Twitter an algorithm update targeted at fighting spam was rolling out to search results. The rollout of the update was to be completed the same day. He added that a second spam update would follow within a week. Google revealed no specific details on what this update was targeting.
