The first quarter of the year has a completed version of the Google algorithm update in 2025. Stay ahead in SEO news by learning about this year’s update and how it could affect your current Google ranking.

The PaLM algorithm for Google made a significant change in generation search. Meanwhile, the Panda update also made an impact that changed the way content could be ranked. Failure to understand these updates at the perfect moment could impact traffic, sales, and content distribution.

Because it’s important to stay up to date with any algorithm changes we summarised the situation for everyone’s benefit. Included in this summary of the update is the importance of the Google algorithm, and what it does for search engine optimisation. 

What is the Google Algorithm?

Before we discuss the Google algorithm update for 2025, we should first know what exactly is the Google algorithm.

In simple terms, it’s like an instruction manual for the search engine to rank content based on search queries. Think of it as the metaphorical guide for decision-makers on what goes in front of the catalogue for any store. 

The reality of the Google algorithm is that it involves multiple sequences and actions to rank content all over the Internet. Those with high rankings could reach the top pages. Meanwhile, those with poor ranking could be hidden on multiple pages.

Most of the time the algorithm makes changes that are rarely noticed. However, there could be major changes within it that could change how your content is ranked. Significantly impactful updates and changes within the Google algorithm are called core updates. These core updates are announced by Google itself. 

However, just because it isn’t a Google core update doesn’t mean it won’t affect how your website and content are ranked. Continuously checking on your content’s performance and keeping an eye out for updates is the key to maintaining it.

How Does Google Algorithm Affect SEO?

SEO strategies are highly dependent on how the algorithm works. Following and understanding how Google ranks searches and its updates on core algorithms result in higher search engine ranking results. 

The algorithm checks whether or not content fits their requirements and provides compelling information as it organises its ranking. 

Ranking Algorithm

As of 2025, Google has a few confirmed categories that everyone should take note of. These categories are what affect the ranking of your website, your visibility, your brand authority, and your target reach.

Content

Your content must be useful and related to a user’s search intent. It should never be designed just for search engines to rank it. Failure to commit to this will only have an adverse effect. Content should also have relevant keywords mixed in that Google’s algorithm can recognise. 

Web Vitals

Google uses web vitals as a guide for uniformity on the quality of user experience within each website. Web vitals take into account the functionality, visuals, and overall loading speed of a website. Well-maintained web vitals prevent a drop in search engine rankings since Google prioritises user experience.

Speed

The loading page’s speed can also affect your ranking. This can be optimised through technical SEO practices such as compressing images. Failure to maintain an optimal speed for your pages can disrupt your ranking. 

Anchor Texts and Links

Anchor texts and links provide credibility and boost authority to your pages regarding the topic. Ensure quality and working links attached to your page. Keep in mind that these links should be included through anchor texts.

 Additionally, anchor texts must also be directly related to the link provided. Ideally with the same keywords as the link it’s attached to.

Local Search

In recent years local search has become more popular with users. That being said, having a location-based keyword that geotargets can improve the ranking of your pages and website. However, you must first understand the variables related to local search before implementing them.

HTTPS

Always use Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTPS) within your web pages. Search engines prioritise secure websites compared to those without HTTPS. Their goal is to give quality and safe delivery of information to the users.

Types of Algorithm Google Uses

Google uses multiple algorithm types that determine the quality of your content. Below are four notable types of algorithms that Google uses to organise and qualify information within the Internet.

PageRank

PageRank is a type of algorithm that Google uses to measure the credibility of a page based on the amount of links it has. High ranking based on PageRank’s algorithm provides a page authority over the topic at hand.

SpamBrain

SpamBrain is like the cop of Google’s search engine. It’s an algorithm dedicated to removing low-quality content by lowering said content’s relevance in search engine pages. However, it doesn’t lower your content’s ranking without reasoning. Anything that its guideline doesn’t approve gives them the go signal to lower a page’s rank.

RankBrain

Similar to SpamBrain but not quite–RankBrain is a machine learning AI that’s trained by IT professionals to focus on answering user intent queries. This means combining relevant keywords and coming up with specific answers for the user’s requests. 

Hilltop

PageRank and Hilltop go hand-in-hand for search engine ranking pages. Hilltop watches over how many times a page has been linked while PageRank observes how many links you have in a page. If your page was linked to other pages multiple times it creates a sense of credibility. The higher the amount of times you were linked the higher your spot on the SERPs will be.

How to Implement Google Algorithms for Search Engine Ranking

Most of us are still recovering from the shock of last year’s Google algorithm update. 2025 still hasn’t shown any core updates as of yet. That’s why this time is the perfect time to properly implement the requirements of Google’s algorithms for SEO ranking.

Understanding their guidelines is the key to properly abiding by the search engine’s requirements. As AI continues to generate more and more correct responses, search engines will likely be more strict on their top pages. 

SEO content writers for any website will require style guides, keywords, and knowledge regarding the different flags that could lower the quality of their page’s rank.

Graphic artists, social media specialists, and even website designers also have a list of things to watch out for.

Google Algorithm Update 2025

The December 2024 spam update was a game-changer. March 2025 continues these changes with typical non-alarming changes. Google’s search update for March 2025 completed its rollout on March 27, 2025. If any changes may have negatively hit your website there’s no cause for alarm. 

Use Google Search Console to verify whether the update has significantly impacted your website. Conduct a self-assessment test to see which areas could need improvement in delivering helpful and quality content to users–not the search engine itself. 

Conclusion

This concludes the latest on the Google algorithm update in 2025. Expect further updates down the line following the first quarter. If you want to learn more, feel free to follow us for on-the-spot updates!

Learn how to make use of the Google Algorithm update for your business. Contact us to discuss your options on how to make your business more visible with the use of Google Algorithm today!