Google will update the databasis for their algorithm updates from time to time, which is the reason why updates or a data-refreshes get version numbers. Please see our article, “What is the difference between an update and a data-refresh?” for additional information.
The algorithm update “Panda” (Panda Update) was first launched on February 23, 2011 on the US American search market and bears the version number 1.0 (Panda US Roll-Out).
Almost two months later, on April 18 2011, the Panda Update was launched for all English search requests internationally. This modification was so important that the version number was raised to 2.0.
In each the following three months, May, June, and July of 2011, Google launched a data refresh of the algorithm update. The Panda Update therefore has the version number 2.3 as of, July 25 2011.
- A: Panda Update 1.0, 28.02.2011
- B: Panda Update 2.0, 18.04.2011
- C: Panda Update 2.1, 16.05.2011
- D: Panda Update 2.2, 20.06.2011
- E: Panda Update 2.3, 25.07.2011
On August 12, 2011, the update was deployed worldwide for all available languages, with the exception of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. In this context it is referred to as the worldwide roll-out of the Google Panda Update. The version number was raised to 2.4.
Summary
The original version of the algorithm update (1.0), that is to say the first launch of the Panda Update, was limited to the US American search market and search requests in the English language. The version number was raised to 2.0 when the Panda Update was introduced for all English language search requests in both English and non-English speaking countries (international). Until the worldwide roll-out of the algorithm update for all search markets and languages, except Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, there were three data refreshes. These data refreshes have the versions 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3. The following update was the worldwide Panda Update launch, which is therefore referred to as version 2.4. This is also the first Update to have a conceivable effect on the German search market, for example.
