Definition
Google Jagger is a series of three algorithmic updates deployed in three phases between September and November 2005. Jagger 1 (early October), Jagger 2 (late October), and Jagger 3 (November) collectively targeted excessive reciprocal links, link farms, links from spam sites, and PageRank manipulation techniques. It was one of the first updates to specifically focus on backlink quality as a ranking factor. Jagger forced SEO practitioners to reconsider their link building strategies and prioritize link quality over quantity.
Key Points
- Deployed in three phases between September and November 2005
- First major update specifically targeting backlink quality
- Penalized reciprocal link exchanges and link farms
Practical Examples
Mass link exchange penalization
Sites participating in massive reciprocal link exchange networks saw their rankings plummet after Jagger 2 and 3 deployment.
Link farm devaluation
Low-quality link directories and link farms selling mass backlinks lost all their SEO effectiveness after Jagger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Jagger (2005) was Google's first major attempt to target low-quality links, while Penguin (2012) went much further with a dedicated algorithm and more severe penalties. Jagger can be considered Penguin's precursor.
Yes, even more so. Excessive link exchanges, link farms, and link networks are now even more severely penalized by modern algorithms like Penguin and Spam Updates.
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Last updated: 2026-02-07