Google Algorithm Updates - Latest News & History



Throughout the year Google is constantly making updates to their algorithms, and that causes rank fluctuations in the search results. So far In 2019, Google has already rolled out several confirmed core algorithm updates.

Below you’ll find an up-to-date summary of the confirmed and unconfirmed updates with additional resources and links to help you better understand the nature and impact of these changes.

More resources: Rank Risk Index | Google SERP Features | Visual SERP Feature Guide

2023 - Google Updates

June 6th Unconfirmed Update

Unconfirmed Update
June 06, 2023

On June 6th Barry Schwartz of Search Engine Roundtable reported elevated SERP fluctuations and a spike in industry chatter. He also speculated that the fluctuations might be related to the recent Spam Update.
Rank Risk Index - Desktop Version
May 2023

Google I/O Search Algorithm Update

Unconfirmed Update
May 22, 2023

Although the Rank Risk Index had been reporting high levels of rank fluctuations, on May 12th Barry Schwartz reported high levels of industry chatter. He observed that the update seems to have started on May 10th which is the same day that Google I/O kicked off.
Rank Risk Index - Desktop Version
May 2023

May 17th Unconfirmed Update

Unconfirmed Update
May 17, 2023

On May 16th the Rank Risk Index reported high levels of SERP fluctuations on desktop and mobile.

On May 18th, Barry Schwartz of Search Engine Roundtable reported industry chatter. A portion of that chatter commented how their rankings seem to have reverted from earlier updates.
Rank Risk Index - Desktop Version
May 2023

May 1st & 2nd Unconfirmed Update

Unconfirmed Update
May 01, 2023

On April 20th the Rank Risk Index reported high levels of SERP fluctuations on both desktop and mobile search results. The fluctuations continued the following days.

On May 3rd, Barry Schwartz of Search Engine Roundtable reported industry chatter.
Rank Risk Index - Desktop Version
April 2023

The April 2023 Reviews Update

Confirmed Update
April 12, 2023

On April 12th, Google announced that the April 2023 Reviews update had been released.

This update included reviews about products, services, and things and as a result, Google changed the name from ‘Product Reviews Update’ to just ‘Reviews Update’.

The Rank Risk Index did not report elevated levels of SERP fluctuations.

On April 13, Barry Schwartz of Search Engine Roundtable reported Google’s announcement, its nature, and limited industry chatter.
Rank Risk Index - Desktop Version
March 2023

Google March 2023 Broad Core Update

Confirmed Update
March 16, 2023

On March 15th Google announced on Twitter that the March 2023 Broad Core Update was live. The next day, the Rank Risk Index reported a massive spike in SERP fluctuations on both mobile and desktop.

On March 16, Barry Schwartz or Search Engine Roundtable reported on industry chatter.
Rank Risk Index - Desktop Version
March 2023

Ongoing SERP Fluctuations

Unconfirmed Update
March 01, 2023

Following the announcement of the Product Reviews update, on February 22nd the Rank Risk Index reported high levels of SERP fluctuations on desktop and mobile. The high levels of fluctuations continued to March 5th peaking on February 25th and March 1st.

On March 6th, Barry Schwartz of Search Engine Roundtable reported about the ongoing fluctuations.
Rank Risk Index - Desktop Version
February 2023

The February 2023 Product Reviews Update

Confirmed Update
February 21, 2023

On February 21st, Google announced that the February 2023 Product Reviews update had been released.

On February 22nd, the Rank Risk Index reported high levels of SERP fluctuations on both desktop.

On February 22, Barry Schwartz of Search Engine Roundtable reported Google’s announcement, its nature, and limited industry chatter.
Rank Risk Index - Desktop Version
February 2023

February 14th Unconfirmed Update

Unconfirmed Update
February 14, 2023

On February 14th, the Rank Risk Index reported high levels of fluctuations on mobile. The fluctuations grew over the next few days expanding to include desktop.

On February 15th, Barry Schwartz of Search Engine Roundtable reported industry chatter.
Rank Risk Index - Desktop Version
February 2023

February 8th/9th Unconfirmed Update

Unconfirmed Update
February 09, 2023

On February 9th the Rank Risk Index reported high levels of SERP fluctuations on both desktop and mobile. Fluctuations peaked the next day on the 10th and returned to normal levels on the 13th.

On February 10th Barry Schwartz of Search Engine Roundtable reported industry chatter.
Rank Risk Index - Desktop Version
February 2023

February 4th Unconfirmed Update

Unconfirmed Update
February 04, 2023

On February 4th the Rank Risk Index reported a massive spike in SERP fluctuations on both desktop and mobile. The fluctuations returned to normal levels the following day.

On February 6th, Barry Schwartz of Search Engine Roundtable reported the high levels of fluctuations as well as industry chatter.
Rank Risk Index - Desktop Version
January 2023

January 26th Unconfirmed Update

Unconfirmed Update
January 26, 2023

On January 26th, Barry Schwartz of Search Engine Roundtable reported a potential unconfirmed Google update that happened on January 26th.

Although the Rank Risk Index didn’t report high levels of SERP fluctuations, Glenn Gabe shared screenshots of sites previously impacted by updates that were seeing big swings in their traffic.
Rank Risk Index - Desktop Version
January 2023