When you’re absolutely certain you have something figured out, it’s probably time to check in on it again, especially if that something is tech-related. Because in this age of ever-accelerating technological change, there could easily have been a rapid shift somewhere out there in the ether that has the potential to affect how you do business. Which brings us to the Google March 2025 Core update. If your website has seen changes in traffic lately, it’s likely due to this latest Google Core update, which brings with it broad and impactful changes to how websites are ranked in search results. It can have major implications for businesses, from affecting visibility to changing how customers find you online. Here’s what this update means and advice for staying competitive.
1. What Is a Google Core Update?
In a nutshell, Google Core updates are major changes to how Google evaluates and ranks content. Unlike smaller updates that target specific issues like spam or page speed, core updates look at the overall quality and relevance of websites across the board. These updates—like the Google March 2025 Core update—are designed to improve search results by rewarding helpful, trustworthy content and reducing the visibility of pages that may not provide the best value to users. They don’t target individual sites, but if your rankings change, it means Google’s understanding of your site’s content has shifted.
2. Key Changes in the March Google Core Update
The Google March 2025 Core update was one of Google’s more substantial algorithm adjustments in recent years. It places a strong emphasis on content quality, originality, and trustworthiness—this is an attempt to further build on the search giant’s EEAT framework. We hear you asking: What is EEAT? EEAT stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trust. Here’s what this awkward acronym is trying to get at:
- Devaluation of Low-Quality and AI-Generated Content
Google is cracking down on unoriginal, low-effort, or automatically generated content that adds little to no value to the things readers are searching for. - Improved Identification of Helpful Content
Website pages with well-structured, user-focused content are being rewarded more than ever with higher rankings on search pages. - Changes to Link Signals
The importance of certain backlinks has shifted, focusing more on relevancy and less on sheer volume. - Industry-Specific Impacts
While this Google Core update applies broadly, sectors like health, finance, and e-commerce may have experienced sharper changes due to the obvious need for high-authority content in these subject areas.
3. How It Could Impact Your Business
Depending on the quality of your site and content, this update could lead to either a rise or a drop in search rankings. Here’s what you might notice and what it might mean:
- Decreased Visibility
If your rankings have dropped, you could see lower organic traffic and fewer conversions. This can be particularly noticeable for key pages that previously performed well. - Increased Traffic
Conversely, if your site already prioritizes helpful, authoritative, user-centric content, you may see a nice boost in traffic and engagement from this update. - Volatile Rankings
Some businesses may notice fluctuations over several weeks as the update settles in across the World Wide Web. Keep calm and carry on, at least to start.
4. What You Can Do About the Update
If you’ve been impacted, don’t panic (see above). There are steps you can take to bounce back and potentially come out ahead.
Check Your Analytics and Rankings
Dive into Google Analytics and Google Search Console to see which pages were affected. Identify trends, traffic drops, or keyword-ranking shifts.
Focus on High-Quality, Helpful Content (EEAT)
At this point, do you find yourself still asking, “What is EEAT?” Us, too. One more time, then: EEAT=Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trust. Make sure your content is accurate, original, and valuable to your audience. Show expertise through blog posts, case studies, and thought leadership pieces. Avoid fluff or rehashed content.
Improve Site Performance and User Experience
A fast, mobile-friendly, and easy-to-navigate site helps users—and search engines—find value. Audit your site for usability issues, technical SEO gaps, and performance snags.
Stay Active and Relevant
Continue updating content, publishing new material, and maintaining a consistent online presence. Google rewards sites that stay fresh and authoritative in their field.
The Only Constant Is Change
The above statement is attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus. It highlights the idea that everything in the world is in a constant state of movement and transformation, making change a fundamental aspect of reality. People love to pull this infuriating aphorism out and drop it high handedly on others going through something unpleasant they themselves aren’t going through, like a Google Core update. Once your anger subsides, remember this: while updates like this can be initially disruptive, they can also present opportunities to refine your digital presence and stand out. If your business has been impacted by this update and you’re unsure how to respond, working with SEO professionals, like the fine folk here at ArachnidWorks—can make all the difference.
