Google Algorithm Update Log

A running log of confirmed Google algorithm updates, with analysis focused on what actually changed and who it affected — not speculation about ranking factors nobody outside Google can verify.

Confirmed updates only. We log updates Google has officially announced. Unconfirmed "ranking volatility" reported by tracking tools gets noted as volatility, not presented as a confirmed update.

What we report: what Google said, what the observable effect was across sites we have visibility into, who appears most affected, and what — if anything — is worth doing in response.

What we don't do: publish panicked "everything has changed" analysis within hours of an update, before there's enough data to say anything useful. Most updates take two to three weeks to fully roll out, and early analysis is usually wrong.

1. Wait. Rollouts take weeks. Reacting to day-two data usually means reacting to noise. 2. Segment before diagnosing. Check whether losses are sitewide or concentrated in specific page types. 3. Don't make sweeping changes immediately. Undoing work that was actually fine is a common and costly overreaction. 4. Check whether it's you or the SERP. Sometimes rankings held and the results page changed shape — an AI Overview appearing above you reduces clicks without any ranking change.