If you’ve noticed changes in your website’s rankings lately, you’re not alone. Google’s March 2025 Core Update is now rolling out, and like every major algorithm change, it’s causing shifts in search rankings.
This is the first core update of 2025, announced on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at around 12:30 PM ET. While some websites are seeing major fluctuations, others have reported minimal impact—at least for now. Google says the update will take two weeks to fully roll out, so more ranking changes may be on the way.
If you’re a website owner, marketer, or SEO expert, you’re probably wondering
✔ What is this update targeting?
✔ Why are rankings fluctuating?
✔ How can I protect my site from ranking drops?
Let’s break it all down in simple terms.
What Is the March 2025 Core Update About?
Every time Google rolls out a core update, the goal is to improve search results by prioritizing useful, high-quality content and reducing the visibility of spam or low-value pages.
This update focuses on:
✅ Boosting high-quality, user-focused content that provides real value.
✅ Reducing low-quality, AI-generated, or spammy content that exists only to manipulate search rankings.
✅ Giving more visibility to unique, expert-driven content rather than rehashed information.
Did This Update Start Earlier?
Many SEOs believe this core update started before the official announcement because there were significant ranking fluctuations in late February and early March.
Some website owners saw massive ranking changes before March 13, leading to speculation that Google was already testing new ranking systems before officially announcing the update.
Google’s AI Overviews and the Future of Search
One of the biggest changes happening in Google Search is the increasing use of AI Overviews (formerly known as Search Generative Experience or SGE).
These AI-generated summaries appear at the top of search results, pulling information from multiple sources and reducing the need for users to click on websites.
What This Means for Websites
✔ If your site only repeats what’s already available online, it may lose visibility to AI-generated answers.
✔ Websites that offer unique insights, original research, or expert opinions will have a better chance of ranking.
✔ Google is prioritizing sites that add real value, rather than those that simply summarize existing content.
If you’ve been relying on AI-generated content, you may need to rethink your strategy to maintain your rankings in a world where Google is using its own AI to summarize information.
Tracking the Impact: What Are SEOs Seeing?
While some sites have seen big ranking drops, others are gaining traffic. Here’s a look at what SEOs and website owners are saying about the March 2025 Core Update:
📉 Traffic Losses
“All four of my sites have lost at least 20% week-over-week, which is disappointing.”
“Big traffic drops yesterday and today… My search was down 8%, and direct traffic was down 34%.”
“I’m losing short-tail keyword rankings, but long-tail rankings are stable.”
📈 Traffic Gains
“I saw a 30% increase in organic search in Ahrefs, but no increase in actual visits or revenue.”
“My impressions bottomed out and then started rising. Views have gone up the whole time.”
“Yes, I see that my website traffic is improving.”
📊 Mixed Reactions
“My competitors, who I know I have better content than, are still getting more short-tail keyword traffic.”
“I see big ranking movements, but I feel this update started in late February rather than mid-March.”
These reports suggest that while some sites are losing rankings, others are gaining, and some industries may be affected more than others.
What If Your Rankings Drop?
If your website has lost rankings after this update, don’t panic. Google has repeatedly stated that core updates don’t “penalize” websites—they simply reassess which content is most valuable to users.
Steps to Take If You’ve Been Hit
✔ Monitor Your Analytics – Check if specific pages or keywords have been affected.
✔ Read Google’s Quality Guidelines – Google provides a list of questions to evaluate if your content is truly helpful and people-first.
✔ Improve Your Content – If your rankings dropped, refresh outdated pages and ensure your content is better than competitors’.
✔ Don’t Rush to Make Big Changes – Some sites recover between updates, so wait before making major adjustments.
How to Future-Proof Your Website
With Google updates becoming more frequent and unpredictable, the best way to stay ahead is to build a long-term, content-focused SEO strategy.
Here’s What Works in 2025:
✅ Create content for people, not just search engines.
✅ Use AI as a tool, but not as the entire content strategy.
✅ Be original—offer new insights, data, and expert opinions.
✅ Build trust and authority—Google favors established, credible sources.
Websites that prioritize user experience and genuine value will continue to thrive, no matter how many core updates Google rolls out.
Final Thoughts: What’s Next?
The March 2025 Core Update is still rolling out, and we may see more ranking fluctuations over the next two weeks. If your site has been affected, focus on long-term content quality rather than chasing algorithm loopholes.
Google’s goal remains the same: help users find the most relevant, useful content. If your website aligns with that goal, you’ll always have a strong foundation—no matter what updates come next.
Are you seeing ranking changes? Let’s discuss!
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