Google Algorithm Updates - 2015

Google Algorithm Updates - 2015

2015 Updates

RankBrain* — October 26, 2015

Google made a major announcement, revealing that machine learning had been a part of the algorithm for months, contributing to the 3rd most influential ranking factor. *Note: This is an announcement date - we believe the actual launch was closer to spring 2015.
Google Turning Its Lucrative Web Search Over to AI Machines (Bloomberg)
FAQ: All About The New Google RankBrain Algorithm (SEL)

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Panda 4.2 (#28) — July 17, 2015

Google announced what was most likely a Panda data refresh, saying that it could take months to fully roll out. The immediate impact was unclear, and there were no clear signs of a major algorithm update.
Google Panda Update: Everything We Know About Panda 4.2 (The SEM Post)
Google Panda 4.2 Is Here (SEL)

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The Quality Update — May 3, 2015

After many reports of large-scale ranking changes, originally dubbed "Phantom 2", Google acknowledged a core algorithm change impacting "quality signals". This update seems to have had a broad impact, but Google didn't reveal any specifics about the nature of the signals involved.
The Quality Update: Google Confirms Changing How Quality Is Assessed, Resulting In Rankings Shake-Up (SEL)
Google's 'phantom' algorithm update hits websites (CNBC)

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Mobile Update AKA "Mobilegeddon" — April 22, 2015

In a rare move, Google pre-announced an algorithm update, telling us that mobile rankings would differ for mobile-friendly sites starting on April 21st. The impact of this update was, in the short-term, much smaller than expected, and our data showed that algorithm flux peaked on April 22nd.
Finding more mobile-friendly search results (Google)
7 Days After Mobilegeddon: How Far Did the Sky Fall? (Moz)

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Unnamed Update — February 4, 2015

Multiple SERP-trackers and many webmasters reported major flux in Google SERPs. Speculation ranged from an e-commerce focused update to a mobile usability update. Google did not officially confirm an update.
Significant Google Search Algorithm Update Yesterday (SER)
Google Brand-eCommerce “Update” causing fluctuations (Searchmetrics)


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