Definition
Google Fred is an algorithm update not officially named by Google, deployed in March 2017. The name 'Fred' came from a joke by Gary Illyes (Google) who suggested calling all unconfirmed updates 'Fred'. This update primarily impacted sites whose content was clearly created to generate advertising revenue rather than help users. The most affected sites were those overloaded with ads, aggressive affiliations, shallow content, and intrusive pop-ups. Fred aligns with Google's efforts to favor sites offering quality user experiences.
Key Points
- Targets sites prioritizing monetization over content
- Penalizes excessive advertising and aggressive affiliation
- Unofficial name given by the SEO community
Practical Examples
Ad-heavy blog
A blog displaying 8 ad blocks per page with 200-word content generated for click attraction loses 70% of its organic traffic following Fred's deployment.
Shallow affiliate site
A product comparison site without original reviews or real tests, systematically redirecting to affiliate links, sees its rankings drop across all pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check if your site experienced a traffic drop around March 2017 and analyze whether your ad-to-content ratio is unbalanced. The most affected sites typically had more ad space than useful content on each page.
Reduce the number of ads and pop-ups, improve content quality and depth, remove excessive affiliate links, and focus on creating real value for visitors rather than maximizing short-term ad revenue.
Go Further with LemmiLink
Discover how LemmiLink can help you put these SEO concepts into practice.
Last updated: 2026-02-07