Google Algorithm Update History – Infographic & Timeline

Google CEO Eric Schmidt claimed there were 516 algorithm updates in 2010 and SEO’s instantly want to know what those changes were. While many of the changes are minor, some have significant impact on the traffic to business websites. Outlined here are the larger known Google Updates by date.

History of Google Algorithm Changes

History of Google Algorithm Changes


Below are listed Known Updates – some with links to more detailed information

  • GOOGLE TOOLBAR -December 2000
  • 1ST DOCUMENTED UPDATE – September 2002
  • BOSTON UPDATE – February 2003
  • CASSANDRA UPDATE – April 2003
  • DOMINIC UPDATE – May 2003
  • ESMERELDA UPDATE – June 2003
  • FRITZ UPDATE – July 2003
  • SUPPLEMENTAL INDEX – September 2003
  • THE FLORIDA UPDATE – November 2003
  • AUSTIN UPDATE – January 2004
  • BRANDY UPDATE – February 2004
  • NOFOLLOW – January 2005
  • ALLEGRA UPDATE – February 2005
  • BOURBON UPDATE – May 2005
  • PERSONALIZED SEARCH – June 2005
  • XML SITEMAPS – June 2005
  • GILLIGAN UPDATE – September 2005
  • GOOGLE LOCAL/MAPS UPDATE – October 2005
  • JAGGER UPDATE – October 2005
  • BIG DADDY UPDATE – December 2005
  • SUPPLEMENTAL UPDATE – November 2006
  • UNIVERSAL SEARCH UPDATE – May 2007
  • BUFFY UPDATE – June 2007
  • DEWEY UPDATE – April 2008
  • GOOGLE SUGGEST UPDATE – August 2008
  • VINCE UPDATE – February 2009
  • REL-CANONICAL UPDATE – February 2009
  • SEARCH UPDATE – December 2009
  • GOOGLE PLACES UPDATE – April 2010
  • CAFFEINE UPDATE – June 2010
  • INSTANT PREVIEWS – November, 2010
  • NEGATIVE REVIEWS – December, 2010
  • SOCIAL SIGNALS – December, 2010
  • OVERSTOCK.COM PENALTY – January 2011
  • ATTRIBUTION UPDATE – January 28, 2011
  • PANDA FARMER– February 23,2011
  • GOOGLE +1 PLUS 1 BUTTON – March 30, 2011
  • PANDA 2.0 – April 11, 2011
  • PANDA 2.1 – May 9, 2011
  • SCHEMA.ORG – June 2, 2011
  • PANDA 2.2 – June 21, 2011
  • GOOGLE + PLUS – June 23, 2011
  • PANDA 2.3 – July 23, 2011
  • PANDA 2.4 – August 12, 2011
  • EXPANDED SITELINKS – August 16, 2011
  • FRESHNESS UPDATE – November 3, 2011
  • 10-PACK OF UPDATES – November 14,2011
  • PANDA 3.1 – November 18, 2011
  • PAGINATION ELEMENTS – September 15, 2011
  • PANDA 2.5 – September 28, 2011
  • PANDA FLUX – October 5, 2011
  • DECEMBER 10-PACK – December 1, 2011
  • JANUARY 30-PACK – January 5, 2012
  • SEARCH AND YOUR WORLD – January 10, 2012
  • ADS ABOVE THE FOLD – January 19, 2012

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