Google June 2025 Core Update Is Complete: Expert Breakdown and What You Should Do Next

The June 2025 Core Update is now fully rolled out. This was Google’s second broad core update of the year, beginning on June 30, 2025, and finishing on July 17, 2025, over a span of more than 16 days. While Google has labeled it as a “regular update,” the impact has been significant across a wide range of websites and industries.

In this article, I’ll provide an expert-level breakdown of what changed, who was affected, and what actions you should take next if you were impacted.

What Is the June 2025 Core Update?

According to Google, this was a typical core update designed to enhance the relevance and helpfulness of search results.

“This is a regular update designed to better surface relevant, satisfying content for searchers from all types of sites.”
— Google Search Central on LinkedIn

Google’s official announcement also appeared on their Search Status Dashboard, confirming that the update started on June 30 and completed on July 17.

Core updates like this one are not penalties. Instead, they represent algorithmic improvements in how Google ranks content based on its overall value, relevance, and quality.

What Changed in the Algorithm?

While Google never shares the specifics of its core ranking algorithm, the SEO community has analyzed the update’s behavior. Based on data from tools like Semrush Sensor, RankRanger, and Sistrix, the following changes were observed:

Increased Weight on Content Usefulness and Satisfaction

Google appears to be getting better at detecting whether a page truly satisfies the intent behind a user’s search query. This goes beyond keyword matching and looks at:

• Whether the page fully answers the question
• Whether the content demonstrates depth, clarity, and expertise
• Whether users stay on the page or bounce back to search quickly

Re-Evaluation of “Helpful Content” Signals

Some websites hit by the September 2023 Helpful Content Update have shown signs of partial recovery. This reinforces Google’s long-term strategy of favoring content created for people, not search engines.

Websites that made meaningful changes to align with helpful content guidelines over the past year may have been reassessed more positively in this core update.

Declines in AI-Generated, Low-Value Content

This update significantly affected websites that:

• Publish AI-generated articles with little to no human editing
• Use thin content across hundreds of similar pages
• Lack topical authority or real-world trust signals (E-E-A-T)

Sites with high-volume, low-quality affiliate content or mass-generated blogs were among the biggest losers.

Strengthening of Trust, Expertise, and Brand Signals

Content that clearly shows:

• A real author with credentials
• Factual information with proper sourcing
• A trustworthy brand/entity (mentioned across the web, schema implemented properly)

… has seen improvements in visibility.

Who Was Most Affected?

Based on aggregated data and independent case studies, here’s a breakdown:

Many business and informational sites that publish real-life experience, case studies, product comparisons, and professional reviews saw ranking gains.

What to Do If You Were Affected?

Google has consistently stated there are no specific “fixes” for core updates, but that creators should focus on building high-quality content. You can review Google’s core update guidance here:
Google Search Central – Core Updates

Here’s a strategic recovery framework based on best practices:

Step 1: Identify Drops

• Use Google Search Console and analytics to:
• Identify which pages lost visibility
• Compare traffic before and after the update
• Track which keywords lost rankings and why

Step 2: Audit Content Quality

Evaluate pages based on:

• How well they match the user’s intent
• The depth and clarity of the information
• Whether the content is genuinely helpful or just SEO-optimized fluff

Use Google’s self-assessment questions, such as:

• Would you trust the information presented in this article?
• Is the content written by an expert or enthusiast who demonstrably knows the topic well?
• Is the content free from spelling or stylistic issues?

See Google’s full list of content quality questions

Step 3: Update or Remove Low-Performing Pages

• If a page no longer adds value:
• Refresh it with better content
• Merge it with a stronger, related page
• Consider removing it if it’s outdated or off-topic

Step 4: Improve Author Signals and E-E-A-T

• Add author bios and credentials
• Link to professional profiles (LinkedIn, published work, etc.)
• Add citations and data sources for factual claims
• Implement schema markup for authors, reviews, and FAQs

Step 5: Build for the Long-Term

• Group content by topic clusters to build topical authority
• Monitor rankings and user behavior continuously
• Align your editorial calendar with content gaps and audience needs

Why This Update Matters

Core updates now happen regularly — every 3 to 6 months. This means websites can no longer rely on static strategies.

The June 2025 Core Update serves as a wake-up call:

• SEO is no longer just about keywords, backlinks, or technical compliance
• It’s about creating content that genuinely serves users, from someone they trust, in a way that’s easy to consume

You can read the official update confirmation and timeline here:

Google Search Status Dashboard – June 2025 Core Update

Final Thoughts

Whether you gained traffic or lost rankings, core updates should always be seen as opportunities. They reward sites that invest in quality, trust, and usability — and challenge those who rely on shortcuts.

As we move into the latter half of 2025, content creators and marketers should:

• Build sustainable strategies
• Improve trust and expertise signals
• Focus on creating content that stands the test of future updates

If you need help auditing your site post-update or planning a recovery strategy, feel free to reach out.