The Webmaster

Google Algorithm Updates

A comprehensive list of all Google algorithm Updates for 2020 and beyond. Compare with your search console data to see if you have been hit by an algorithm change.

Today's SERP Volatility Score

The chart shows the volatility in Googles' Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) today, and over the last month.

You can view more volatility data over at SEMrush.

Read why you should track Google Updates.

March 2019

Google Update 27th of March 2019

There has been a sharp spike in volatility in the SERP Trackers indicating a Google Algorithm Update on the 27th of March 2019.

Jonathan Griffin

· 3 min read

"March 2019 Core Update" - Major Algorithm Update March 12, 2019

The SERP tracking tools show a spike in SERPs volatility starting on the 12th of March, and continuing to the 14th. Google has confirmed an update is taking place.

Jonathan Griffin

· 11 min read

Google Update 20 - 23 March 2019

There has been increased volatility in the SERPS indicating a further Google Algorithm Update between the 20th and 23rd of March 2019.

Jonathan Griffin

· 4 min read

Major Google Algorithm Update on the 5th of March 2019

The SERP tracking tools show a spike in volatility on the 5th of March, with some chatter among the SEO community. Looks like a small Google Update.

Jonathan Griffin

· 4 min read

Major Google Algorithm Update on the 2nd of March 2019

The SERP tracking tools show a significant spike in volatility on the 2nd of March, with significant chatter among the SEO community. Looks like a major Google Update.

Jonathan Griffin

· 6 min read

February 2019

Google Algorithm Update 27th of February 2019

We started tracking a sharp increase in SERP volatility on the 27th February, continuing into the 28th. Volatility in the UK is high, targeting different categories.

Jonathan Griffin

· 6 min read

Google Algorithm Update 22nd of February 2019

We started tracking an increase in SERP volatility around the 19th February, peaking on the 22nd. Initial investigations reveal that a broad range of categories is affected. This may indicate a wider quality update.

Jonathan Griffin

· 4 min read

Google Algorithm Update 12th of February 2019

We started tracking an increase in SERP volatility around the 12th, continuing into the 13th February. Initial indications show that E-A-T related categories were affected, with Science, Autos, Law & Government, Pets & Animals, and Health related queries were most affected.

Jonathan Griffin

· 6 min read

Google Algorithm Update 7th February 2019

The SERP tracking tools show a spike in volatility on the 7th February, 2019. It looks from initial observations that this update targets site categories that typically require Expertise, Trust, and Authority (E-A-T).

Jonathan Griffin

· 6 min read

February 2016

Google: Penguin real-time update still not announced

In a Google Hangout, John Mueller confirmed that he still has not heard anything about an announcement date for the next Penguin Update.  

Jonathan Griffin

· 2 min read

Google: Panda updates may now be rolled out continuously

Google's John Mueller said in a Hangout that the Panda Algorithm is rolling out pretty much continuously.

Jonathan Griffin

· 3 min read

Google launches Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP)

As of the 24th February 2016, the new AMP pages have gone live and are now appearing in the SERPs.  The roll out seems to be gradual.

Jonathan Griffin

· 3 min read

Google reduces the amount of review snippets showing in the SERPs

Google said they did not want to clutter the search results with too many Rich Snippets, a day before a ~33% drop in the number of Review snippets showing.

Jonathan Griffin

· 3 min read

Has the Google Penguin update been delayed again?

Google has recently confirmed that the latest Google Penguin Update is still a work in progress and that they do not know when it would be rolled out. 

Jonathan Griffin

· 2 min read

Google's core algorithm testing continues - 10th and 11th February, 2016

It looks like (from looking at SERP Trackers) there were some minor Google algorithm changes this last weekend, after a very calm start to February.

Jonathan Griffin

· 3 min read

Google testing bigger mobile-friendliness ranking boost?

There are some reports that Google is testing a larger ranking boost for mobile-friendly websites.

Jonathan Griffin

· 3 min read

January 2016

Google's Real-time Penguin Update May Launch Within Weeks

Google has announced they are aiming to launch the new Real-Time Penguin algorithm Update this quarter but it was weeks, not months away.

Jonathan Griffin

· 2 min read

Massive Google SERP Volatility Continues — 16th January

A massive Google Update hit on the 16th January and lasted all weekend. The fluctuations in the SERPS were off the charts.

Jonathan Griffin

· 6 min read

Google Panda is Now Part of The Core Ranking Algorithm

The recent changes are a Core Update, and while Panda is part of the Core Algorithm, the recent update does not include any Panda changes.

Jonathan Griffin

· 5 min read

Recent Google Update on January 12th 2016 not Penguin Related

Google has confirmed that the recent SERPS volatility that got SEO's and webmasters all talking over the last few days is not a Penguin Update.

Jonathan Griffin

· 2 min read

Google Update: Massive SERP Volatility Continues — January 10th 2016

SERP trackers are off the charts.  Is this an extension of previous volatility or something new?  Looks like just Google Testing stuff.

Jonathan Griffin

· 6 min read

Is Google Penguin 4 Rolling Out? — 6th January 2016

We are seeing some chatter that the Penguin 4 Real-Time Update may be starting to roll out.  We do, however, have our doubts this is the case.

Jonathan Griffin

· 5 min read

Google Penguin 4: No Release Date Yet, but Getting Closer

Google has recently indicated that the new Penguin Real-time update will be delayed further until they have finished testing it properly.

Jonathan Griffin

· 2 min read

October 2015

Updated: Google Penguin Real-time Update will NOT Launch this Year

In an update on the 4th December, Google's John Mueller confirmed that Google's Real-time Penguin Update will not launch this year.

Jonathan Griffin

· 6 min read

Google - Still Time to Clean Bad Links Before Penguin Hits Later This Year

Google's Gary Illyes has just confirmed that there is still time to clean your backlink profile before the Penguin Algorithm is refreshed.

Jonathan Griffin

· 3 min read

Artificial Intelligence "RankBrain" Now Part of Google Search Algorithm

Google's new Artificial Intelligence "RankBrain" is Now Part of the general Search Algorithm helping to improve the results for previous unseen queries.

Jonathan Griffin

· 6 min read

Google Update 17th October 2015 — Core Algorithm Update

SERP trackers indicate a significant Google Update commencing on the 17th October. Google has indicated it a result of changes to the Core Algorithm.

Jonathan Griffin

· 3 min read

Frequently asked questions

Why is it important to follow Google Update Changes?

Google uses a number search algorithms and signals to govern the way it ranks relevance for queries in the search engine results pages (SERPs).

Tracking the SERP changes along with your Website Traffic can help you identify issues with your SEO strategy.

How do I keep informed about the latest Google Updates?

This Google algorithm update resource page keeps you informed about:

  • Confirmed Updates: These are updates that have been officially confirmed by Google.
  • Unconfirmed Updates: These are algorithm changes reported by SEOs, Industry Experts, and SERP tracker. There was no official confirmation.
Does Google confirm all Updates?

Gary Illyes, a Webmaster Trends Analyst at Google, confirmed that “most algorithm updates go unnoticed, but we may communicate about the named ones, like mobile friendly.”

Webmaster Trends Analysts, John Mueller and Gary Illyes confirmed that Google makes “changes almost every day” with “3 updates a day on average,” respectively.

How do I know if I have been hit by an update?

Use your Search Console to identify traffic \ visibility drops, and compare them with the algorithm change history.

You can view the Performance of your site for the last 12 or 16 months in the Google Search Console to identify the date of any falls in clicks or impressions. You can then compare those dates with our algorithm history and read up on what updates affect your site.

You may find that you have been hit by one, or multiple updates:

Search Console shows a site being hit by multiple updates over the past year. CREDIT: THE WEBMASTER.
How do you know if there has been a Google Update?

We cover news of the latest Google updates (including Penguin and Panda) and rumors, which may affect your ranking in the Search Engine Results Page (SERP’s). Unfortunately, due to the secretive nature of Google (to help prevent Black Hat SEO’s gaming the system), it is not always easy to understand or see the changes Google makes, especially as Google tweaks its algorithm daily.

By keeping track of the changes in the SERP’s in combination with your own rankings as well as feedback both in the SEO community and Google itself, you can sometimes extrapolate what you need to do on your website to increase your website’s ranking.

The common sources we use to gauge this information are as follows:

  • SERP Trackers – Trackers such as the Mozcast, Algaroo, and Rank Ranger can identify when movement happens in the SERP’s, allowing us to investigate possible causes.
  • Google Announcements – On occasions, announcements or snippets of information are made by Google either directly (via blog posts) or indirectly by their employees (i.e., John Mueller, who does the Webmaster Central Hangouts).
  • Forum Chatter – A great way to determine whether an update or algorithm change has hit is by monitoring popular forums where webmasters hangout.
  • Other News Sources – We keep an eye on other news sources to see if they have either picked something up we missed, or even been privy to exclusive conversations with Google or its employees.
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