Another month, another Google algorithm update shaking up the search rankings. The Google Core Update March 2025 is proving to be yet another ‘big one’, hitting websites hard and rewarding those who have been playing the long game with high-quality content. The usual post-update scramble is in full swing as SEO forums are buzzing, analytics dashboards are getting refreshed every ten minutes, and some digital marketers are seriously contemplating career changes!
So, what’s really happening? In this insight article, our VP Digital Marketing, James Gray, explores who’s benefiting, who’s losing, and most importantly, what you need to do to stay ahead of the algorithm.
Google’s Core Updates always follow the same broad mission: to improve search results by prioritising useful, relevant content. But this update? It’s hitting some sectors harder than others, and early data suggests a clear trend: Sites focused on depth, authority, and user engagement are coming out ahead, while thin, keyword-stuffed, or clickbait-heavy content is taking a nosedive.
Google’s official statement on the update (which you can read here) is predictably vague, but the key message is clear: they’re tightening up ranking signals to ensure users get better search results. This means cracking down on outdated SEO tricks while giving an extra boost to well-researched, helpful content.
A key detail in this rollout is that it’s happening alongside ongoing efforts to refine Google’s spam-fighting systems. As Search Engine Land reports, this update is part of a larger shift towards rewarding E-E-A-T (experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness), so if your site has been coasting on SEO loopholes, it might be time for a rethink.
Websites that consistently publish original, well-researched content are thriving. Industry leaders with strong thought leadership pieces, deep-dive reports, and authentic user engagement have seen noticeable ranking boosts.
We’re starting to see a number of anecdotal responses so far. For example, one niche B2B SaaS company says they’ve seen a 30% increase in organic traffic within the first few days of the update rolling out, which they’ve attributed to their mix of “expert-driven content, case studies, and high engagement rates from readers”.
Lesson: If you’ve been focusing on quality content and user value, this update is going to be working for you.
Sites relying on AI-generated fluff without proper editorial oversight are among the hardest hit. There’s nothing wrong with using AI to assist with content creation, but Google is cracking down on sites that churn out generic, low-effort articles just to rank.
A marketing director at a well-known affiliate site admitted to SEORoundtable that they “saw a 40% drop in rankings overnight”. Their biggest mistake? Mass-producing AI-written blog posts with minimal human input.
Lesson: AI-assisted content isn’t the problem, low-quality AI content is. Human insight, originality, and depth still win.
Remember when keyword stuffing used to work (even just a little bit)? Not anymore. Sites that still rely on keyword-heavy, low-substance content are slipping down the rankings.
One ecommerce retailer shared their frustration on Search Engine Journal: “We had product pages ranking for years with solid SEO. After this update, traffic tanked. Now, our competitors with richer content and actual customer engagement are outranking us.”
Lesson: You can’t rely on keyword placement alone anymore. If your content isn’t genuinely valuable to users, Google will know.
Google’s updates often favour authority-driven content, and this time, smaller, highly focused niche websites are seeing some unexpected gains. Sites that serve tight-knit communities with specialised knowledge are climbing the rankings.
For example, one forum-based site in the fitness space saw an increase in organic visibility despite having lower DA (domain authority) than its big-brand competitors. Their advantage was authenticity and user engagement.
Lesson: Building a loyal, engaged audience pays off. Google is giving a bigger spotlight to sites that foster real discussions and provide genuine value.
If your rankings took a hit, start with a content audit. Look at your most important pages and ask:
If you’re unsure where to start, Google’s official Search Quality Rater Guidelines offer a roadmap for what Google considers “good” content.
Want the experts to take a look? Our SEO team is on hand, and offers Content Audits as a component part of our wider SEO and Digital Marketing solutions. We even utilise AI to assess content against the HCU Guidelines efficiently, meaning even the largest of websites can be audited effectively. Get in touch.
SEO is important, but user experience is the real priority. Make sure your site is:
Google is increasingly using engagement metrics like bounce rate and dwell time to assess content quality. If users leave quickly, Google assumes they didn’t find value.
Google rankings can be unpredictable. A strong SEO strategy should be backed by other traffic sources, to ensure maximum discoverability:
This update isn’t the last. Google will continue refining how it ranks content, and smart marketers stay adaptable. Monitor performance, read industry insights (like this analysis from O’Brien Media), and test new strategies.
The March 2025 Core Update is another strong push towards high-quality, useful content. If you’ve been prioritising value over quick SEO wins, you’re in a great position. If not? Now’s the time to change course, before the next update rolls out.
SEO is always evolving, but one thing never changes: the best way to rank is to create something truly worth ranking.
Have you seen major shifts in your rankings this month? Are your SEO partners talking to you about these updates, keeping you updated, and pre-planning for their impacts by delivering high quality SEO and discoverability strategies? If not, reach out to our team to discuss how we can help.
Remarkable are one of the world’s leading digital experience agencies. As a double Platinum Sitecore and Optimizely partner, we offer technology solutions to help brands build experiences that convert.
