On March 13, 2025, Google released its first major core update of the year. The last core update was in December 2024, followed by a spam update. This new update is called the March 2025 Core Update.
Google shared this news on LinkedIn through its official page, Google Search Central. They said the update will help show better and more useful content from websites. Google wants to make sure that users see high-quality and relevant content. They also said that they will keep improving search results during the year to help creators and website owners.
This update will take about two weeks to finish. Google confirmed this on its Search Status Dashboard. Website owners and SEO experts can check the update’s progress on Google’s ranking release history page.
SEO Community Reactions and Observations
Before the official launch, SEO experts had already noticed big changes in search rankings. Experts like Glenn Gabe and Barry Schwartz shared their findings. They saw many websites going up or down in rankings. This means Google may have tested the update before the full launch.
Core is close IMO. I’ve heard from a number of sites owners this week seeing core update-like volatility, including losing Discover visibility completely, top stories, top rankings vanishing, then returning a few days later, etc. Google is probably testing the next core update,… pic.twitter.com/nAXEOb7gGn
— Glenn Gabe (@glenngabe) March 13, 2025
Now that the update is live, many websites are seeing changes in their positions on search results. Some websites are doing better, while others are losing traffic. SEO tracking tools are showing high movement, which is normal during a core update. So, it is important for website owners to check how their sites are performing.
What If Your Site Is Affected?
If your site is losing traffic or ranking lower after this update, don’t panic. Google has shared advice many times on what to do after core updates. Their main advice is to focus on making your content better. Here are the key points:
- Improve Content Quality: Your content should be helpful, well-organized, and easy to understand. Make sure it answers what users are searching for.
- Update Old Content: If your content is old or not useful anymore, update it. Google prefers fresh and relevant information.
- Follow EEAT Principles: EEAT stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Google likes content that shows real experience, expert knowledge, and trust. For example, an article written by a doctor about health will rank better than one from a random blog.
Google also said that not all drops in traffic mean your content is bad. Sometimes, other better content is simply ranking higher. So, it’s not always a penalty, it might be that Google found something more useful for users.
When Did the Update Finish?
The update took exactly two weeks to roll out. Google completed the update on March 27, 2025. That means all the changes are now live, and rankings are stable again. But, if your site lost ranking, it’s a good time to review your content strategy.
Wrapping Up
Google core updates happen several times a year. They help make search results more useful for everyone. The March 2025 Core Update is part of Google’s effort to support quality content. If your site is affected, focus on user-first content and build trust through your content.
You can keep checking Google’s official pages and blogs to stay updated. Watch your site’s traffic and ranking during and after the update. And remember, improving content is always a good idea, no matter what update is happening.
