Complete timeline of every confirmed and unconfirmed Google algorithm update from 2020 to 2026. Filter by type, impact, year, and more.
OneStepToRank's self-healing system detects algorithm shifts automatically and adjusts your optimization strategy in real-time. While others scramble after updates, your rankings stay protected with our adaptive engine running 24/7.
Get Auto-Protection →Google's search algorithm is a complex system that determines which web pages appear in search results and in what order. Google makes thousands of changes to this system every year, but only a fraction are large enough to be publicly announced. These major updates can dramatically reshape search results overnight, causing some websites to gain significant visibility while others see sharp declines.
This tracker catalogs every major Google algorithm update since 2020, including core updates, spam updates, helpful content updates, link spam updates, product reviews updates, page experience updates, and local/Maps updates. Each entry includes the rollout dates, impact level, confirmation status, and a description of what changed.
Google releases several distinct categories of updates, each targeting different aspects of search quality:
Use the filter controls above to narrow down updates by year, type, impact level, or status. The keyword search lets you find specific updates by name. Click the type pills to quickly toggle categories on and off. Each update card shows the rollout date range, type badge, confirmation status, estimated impact level, and a description of the changes.
Cross-reference update dates with your own ranking data to determine which updates may have affected your site. If you notice a correlation between an update and a traffic change, review the update description for guidance on how to respond.
Google makes thousands of small changes each year, but major confirmed updates happen roughly 8-12 times annually. Core updates roll out 2-4 times per year, while targeted updates for spam, helpful content, and reviews occur as needed. Most daily changes go unannounced.
A core update is a broad change to Google's overall ranking systems. Unlike targeted updates that focus on specific signals, core updates reassess content quality across the web. They can cause significant ranking fluctuations across all industries and typically take 1-2 weeks to fully roll out.
Monitor your Google Search Console data for sudden changes in impressions, clicks, and average position that coincide with a confirmed update date. A drop of 10% or more in organic traffic within the update window is a strong indicator. Use a rank tracking tool to compare positions before and after the update period.
Identify which type of update affected you. For core updates, audit content quality and E-E-A-T signals. For spam updates, check for thin content or manipulative practices. For helpful content updates, ensure content is written for people first. Recovery often takes until the next update of the same type rolls out.