If you work in SEO, digital marketing, or run a website, chances are you’ve heard about the recent Google core update rolled out between June and July 2025. These updates often cause significant changes in website rankings, so it’s important to understand what happened, how it affects your site, and what you can do to stay ahead.
What Is a Google Core Update?
A Google core update is a significant change to the search engine’s ranking system. It affects how Google evaluates websites and decides which pages to show first. Unlike minor tweaks, core updates adjust the overall Google algorithm to improve search results. These updates happen several times a year to keep the search experience relevant and useful.
Core updates are not penalties but a way to reward quality content and reliable websites. They reassess many factors like expertise, trustworthiness, and user experience. Because of this, some sites may gain better rankings while others might lose visibility. Understanding core updates helps website owners improve their content and stay competitive in search results.
Timeline & Overview of the June 2025 Google Core Update
Google announced the June 2025 core update on 30 June and began the rollout the same day. The update ran for 16 days and was completed on 17 July. Many websites see ranking shifts and fluctuations for several weeks after the rollout. These ongoing changes keep SEO professionals watching their sites closely and adjusting strategies.
This update marks the second broad core update of 2025, following one in March. Google releases several core updates each year to improve how its systems assess content quality. Each update aims to deliver more relevant, trustworthy, and useful search results to users. Businesses that stay informed about these changes adapt quickly and maintain strong rankings.
Key Changes Introduced in the June 2025 Google Core Update
Google’s latest core update didn’t just shake up rankings, it raised the bar for quality and trust online. If your site isn’t putting users first, now’s the time to rethink your strategy.
1. Stronger Emphasis on E-E-A-T
Google keeps putting more weight on E-E-A-T (Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness). Websites that show genuine real-world experience and credible authorship tend to rank higher after this update. Content must be written or reviewed by experts who understand the topic deeply. Demonstrating authority and trust helps build confidence with both Google and users.
2. Focus on People-First Content
Google favours content that genuinely helps users by answering their questions fully and providing meaningful insights. Thin or shallow pages created mainly for SEO purposes risk losing ranking positions. Instead, content should focus on user needs and deliver clear, helpful information. This update rewards sites that put people’s interests before search engine tricks.
3. Improved AI & Structured Data Recognition
Google’s AI features, like automatic summaries and content previews, have improved with this update. The topic of AI vs Google Search shows how Google uses AI to better understand and rank pages. Websites with clear structure, schema markup, and organised content get more visibility. Using structured data properly helps Google show your site with rich results. This gives your website an advantage in search.
4. Technical SEO & User Experience
Site speed, mobile optimisation, and easy navigation now carry more ranking influence than before. Google prefers websites that provide a smooth, fast, and intuitive experience across all devices. Technical issues such as broken links or slow loading times can hurt rankings significantly. Investing in user-friendly design and solid technical SEO is essential for success.
5. Spam & Manipulation Crackdown
Google stepped up its efforts to detect and penalise spam tactics including cloaking, hidden redirects, and misuse of expired domains. Unnatural backlinks and manipulative link schemes also face harsher scrutiny. Websites that rely on such shortcuts risk serious ranking drops or penalties. Cleaning up these issues promptly helps protect a site’s reputation and search performance.
How Did the Update Impact Websites?
During and after the June 2025 Google core update, SEO tools recorded significant ranking volatility across many sites. From early July, some websites gained traffic while others faced noticeable drops. Interestingly, several sites that struggled after previous updates, like the September 2023 Helpful Content Update, saw partial recoveries. At the same time, many sites remained stable or experienced only minor fluctuations.
This widespread impact shows the update targets websites across all industries and regions rather than focusing on a specific niche. It affected sites globally, regardless of language or market sector. The broad nature of the update emphasises Google’s ongoing commitment to rewarding quality and relevance everywhere. Website owners must continue monitoring performance and adapting strategies to stay competitive.
What Should Australian Website Owners Do Now?
Google’s core updates can feel overwhelming, but they also offer a chance to improve and grow. Taking the right steps now will help your website stay strong and visible in search results.
1. Don’t Panic
Ranking shifts during a Google core update are completely normal and expected. It’s important to give the algorithm time to settle before making any drastic changes. Reacting too quickly might do more harm than good. Stay calm and observe how your site performs over the coming weeks.
2. Focus on Content Quality
Take a close look at your website content to ensure it is thorough, accurate, and written with the user in mind. Adding clear author information and demonstrating expertise can boost trustworthiness. Avoid thin or duplicated content that doesn’t provide real value. High-quality, helpful content is what Google rewards.
3. Improve Site Performance
Make sure your website loads quickly, looks great on mobile devices, and is easy to navigate. Technical problems like broken links or slow pages can frustrate visitors and hurt rankings. Regularly test your site’s speed and usability to catch issues early. A smooth user experience keeps visitors engaged and satisfied.
4. Clean Up Spam Signals
Review your backlink profile carefully to identify any spammy or low-quality links. Remove or disavow harmful links that could trigger penalties. Also, fix issues like cloaking or hidden redirects that violate Google’s guidelines. Maintaining a clean link profile helps protect your site’s reputation.
5. Monitor Performance
Use tools like Google Search Console, SEMrush, or Moz to keep track of your rankings and traffic trends. Regular monitoring lets you spot problems early and measure the impact of any changes. Adjust your SEO strategies based on data, not guesswork. Staying proactive helps you stay ahead of competitors.
Why the Google Core Update Matters for Australian Businesses
Google is the most used search engine in Australia, so it is important for local businesses to understand and adjust to core updates. The June 2025 Google core update shows that strong rankings depend on having trustworthy content and a well-performing website. Businesses that focus on helpful, accurate content and make it easy for users to navigate their site are more likely to stay visible in search results.
This update also makes it clear that quick tricks or shortcuts no longer work. Google rewards websites that show real expertise, trust, and experience. It is important to check that your content is written by people who know the topic well and that your site runs smoothly on all devices. Australian businesses that focus on long-term quality and a good user experience will have the best chance of staying ahead in search.
Final Thoughts
The June 2025 Google core update highlights the need for websites to focus on quality, trust, and user experience. It shows that Google continues to refine how it ranks content to reward genuine expertise and helpfulness. Businesses that take the time to improve their content and technical setup will see lasting benefits. Staying informed and adaptable is key to maintaining strong search rankings in this evolving landscape.
For Australian businesses, this update is a reminder that success in SEO is not about shortcuts or tricks but about building real value for users. Investing in trustworthy content, fast and easy-to-use websites, and clean SEO practices will help you stand out. Regularly monitoring your site’s performance and adjusting strategies will keep you ahead of competitors. Embracing these principles ensures your online presence grows steadily and sustainably.
Ready to strengthen your website’s SEO and stay ahead of future Google core updates? Contact Flexisource IT today to get expert support tailored to your business needs.
