By: Jonathan Stec

Published: January 6th, 2023

Updated: January 6th, 2023

Google’s search algorithm is constantly evolving in order to provide users with the most relevant and accurate search results. Over the years, there have been numerous updates to the algorithm that have had significant impacts on search results. Here is a list of some of the major algorithm updates that have occurred, along with a brief explanation of each:

1. Panda: This update, released in 2011, was designed to reduce the ranking of low-quality or thin content websites and reward high-quality websites with stronger rankings.
2. Penguin: This update, released in 2012, was aimed at reducing the ranking of websites that were using manipulative tactics, such as keyword stuffing and link schemes, to improve their rankings.
3. Hummingbird: This update, released in 2013, was designed to improve the understanding of user queries and the context in which they were searching. It placed a greater emphasis on the meaning behind words and phrases, rather than just the individual words themselves.
4. Pigeon: This update, released in 2014, aimed to improve the local search results by strengthening the connection between the local algorithm and the core algorithm.
5. Mobilegeddon: This update, released in 2015, was designed to give a boost to mobile-friendly websites in the search results, as more and more users were using mobile devices to access the internet.
6. RankBrain: This update, released in 2015, introduced machine learning to the search algorithm, allowing it to better understand and interpret user queries.
7. Fred: This update, released in 2017, targeted websites that were violating Google’s webmaster guidelines, such as those with low-quality or spammy content.
8. BERT: This update, released in 2019, focused on improving the understanding of natural language in search queries, particularly for longer, more complex queries.

Overall, these updates have been aimed at improving the user experience by providing more relevant and accurate search results. By constantly evolving its algorithm, Google is able to stay ahead of the game and provide its users with the best possible search experience.