Google June 2025 Core Update: New SEO Rules Explained

Explore the June 2025 Core Update’s impact. Learn how to adjust your SEO strategy to meet Google’s latest standards for ranking success.

On June 30, 2025, Google officially released the June 2025 Core Update, marking the second major core algorithm update this year. Unlike most summer updates that typically roll out in August, this rollout is already causing visible shifts in rankings across industries. It comes with a sharper focus on content trustworthiness, intent alignment, and page experience. 

While Google aims to improve search relevance and user satisfaction, marketers and businesses are encouraged to rethink their content strategies to align with trust, intent, and experience signals.   

According to Google, this latest update may take up to three weeks to complete. But during the first week of July, experts started to notice the first signs of ranking fluctuations. These early changes reveal which SEO (Search Engine Optimization) strategies require refinement to meet Google’s evolving algorithm standards.

Source: Semalt

Key Takeaways:

• Google’s June 2025 Core Update targets all types of content and rewards great web pages.
• This update also pushes brands to go beyond traditional SEO basics and emphasize more on topical relevance and content trust.
• Strategies introduced during the March 2025 Update, such as topical authority, user-focused content, and E-E-A-T, remain essential for long-term SEO performance. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Key Takeaways

Winners and Losers: How the June 2025 Update Reshaped Rankings

How to Adapt SEO and Content Strategies in the Latest Update

Future-Proof Tips for the Next Core Update

Conclusion

FAQs About Google June 2025 Core Update

Winners and Losers: How the June 2025 Update Reshaped Rankings

Early data from Search Engine Roundtable revealed that the healthcare, finance, and AI-related tech industries experienced the most dramatic ranking changes. Additionally, informational blogs and affiliate-heavy content saw a downtrend, especially those lacking updated or well-cited sources.

Several trends stood out, such as:

• Thin and overly optimized content saw sharp visibility declines.
• Outdated or generic pages dropped in rankings, even those with high-quality backlink profiles.
• Websites prioritizing topical authority, fresh updates, and clear author attribution have seen significant improvement. 

Moreover, businesses saw an increase in competition in areas such as AI Overviews, Featured Snippets, and People Also Ask. As a result, this changes how content is surfaced in search results and how users decide what to click.

All these confirm that Google’s algorithm favors real value and trust over optimization shortcuts. This means that content strategy should go beyond SEO basics.

Find out how you can align your SEO with AI Overviews in this guide.

How to Adapt SEO and Content Strategies in the Latest Update

Many effective strategies introduced during the March 2025 Core Update will remain critical until today. Fortunately, this update strengthens Google’s long-term direction. This is to reward content that demonstrates expertise, trustworthiness, and a strong user experience. 

Here’s how your SEO and content strategy should evolve to keep pace:

Update and Refresh Existing Content

Outdated or irrelevant pages are being deprioritized, even if they rank well historically. Therefore, audit key pages, remove outdated references, and update content with current data and new perspectives.

Reinforce Topical Authority

Google favors domains that cover in-depth topics. It’s best to create clustered content (pillar + supporting articles), cover subtopics comprehensively, and link internally to demonstrate subject mastery.

Focus on Search Intent, Not Just Keywords

Map content to what users actually want; it can be informational, transactional, or navigational. Tools like Google Search Console and intent-based keyword research help ensure alignment.

Optimize for AI Overviews and Rich SERP Features

Structure content to be concise, well-formatted, and semantically clear. Use headings, FAQs, and schema markup to boost visibility in featured snippets or AI-generated results.

PRO TIP:

According to Google, it’s recommended to check the Google Search Console for traffic changes, especially if your rankings dropped after the update. Evaluate why these pages dropped and avoid deleting underperforming content. Focus on improving quality and aligning it with search intent instead.

Check out our guide to optimize your content across all major search engines.

Future-Proof Tips for the Next Core Update

Google’s core updates are unpredictable, but their direction is clear: prioritize content quality, user trust, and experience. 

Here are five key strategies to help you stay ahead of future algorithm shifts.

1. Audit and Refresh Your Content Regularly

Outdated or underperforming pages are easy targets for devaluation. Thus, schedule quarterly audits to update stats, remove fluff, and merge thin content into more comprehensive resources.

2. Strengthen E-E-A-T Signals Across Your Site

Showcase real expertise by adding author bios, linking to credible sources, and highlighting firsthand experience. Make sure contact info and trust indicators, such as case studies or client reviews, are easy to find.

3. Monitor SEO Health Through Google Search Console

You can also utilize Google Search Console to track traffic shifts, impressions, and query changes. This helps you spot performance dips early and take action before rankings fall further.

4. Build Topical Authority Through Content Clusters

Create content hubs that cover your niche in depth. It’s best to link related articles internally to signal relevance and authority to both users and search engines.

5. Stay Ahead with Structured Data and SEO News

Implement schema markup to support visibility in SERP features like AI Overviews or snippets. Follow Google Search Central and SEO news sites to catch early signals of future updates.

Conclusion

One thing is clear: the June 2025 Core Update reinforces Google to reward websites that focus on real value and user intent content, not just rankings. If your site was affected, or even if it wasn’t, this is the time to revisit your strategy. After all, the businesses that adapt now will be in the best position when the next update rolls around.

Focus on creating content that informs, guides, and builds trust. Look for reliable SEO services in the Philippines that will help you align your strategy with Google’s evolving standards.

FAQs About Google June 2025 Core Update

What is Google’s June 2025 Core Update about?

In a nutshell, it’s all about better content. Google aims to surface pages that are trustworthy, relevant, and useful, while pushing down content that’s outdated, thin, or over-optimized.

How do I know if my site was affected?

Start by checking Google Search Console. If your impressions or traffic suddenly dropped in early July, it’s likely tied to the update. Pinpoint which pages were impacted first.

What should I do if my rankings drop?

Don’t panic. Instead of deleting underperforming pages, improve them. Update outdated info, clarify the message, and show real-world experience or authority where possible.