Let’s be honest, keeping up with Google updates is like trying to win a game where the rules keep changing mid-play.
One month, you’re riding high on organic traffic. The next, your top-ranking content is outranked by a clickbaity listicle from 2017.
But take a breath. The March 2025 core update has officially wrapped, and we’re here to break it all down.
What changed? Who got hit? And most importantly… what should you actually do about it?
Let’s decode the chaos.
First, What Is a Google Core Update?
Think of it as Google’s version of a digital detox.
A few times a year, Google reworks its algorithm to better serve helpful, relevant, high-quality content. It’s not just tweaking a few knobs. It’s rethinking what deserves to rank.
No, Google isn’t out to get you personally. But yes, your traffic could take a hit if you’re not aligned with what the algorithm now prioritizes.
It’s like refreshing your playlist: the songs that still slap stay on. The rest? Replaced.
What Changed in March 2025?
Rolled out between March 13 and March 27, this update didn’t make headlines like some of its predecessors, but it packed a punch.
What stood out this time wasn’t just what Google updated. It’s how strictly it enforced those changes. The update zeroed in on one theme with laser focus: content that truly helps users.
1. Helpfulness Is the New Baseline
Google’s been pushing for “helpful content” for a while, but this update was the wake-up call. Surface-level summaries, keyword-stuffed intros, and filler FAQs? Not enough anymore.
“Content now has to be purposeful, solving problems, teaching something meaningful, or offering genuine value.
If your blog post doesn’t do that, it probably dropped. If your landing page doesn’t say how you help, not just that you do, you might’ve seen a dip.
2. Spammy, Search-First Content Got the Axe
This update drew a hard line between strategic content and spammy content.
- AI-generated copy that reads like a robot’s diary? Penalized.
- Articles packed with affiliate links but light on insight? Penalized.
- Pages written more for algorithms than actual humans? Penalized.
AI isn’t banned. But “lazy AI” is. If you’re using it, edit it like you care. Add expertise. Add soul.
3. Low-Value Pages Vanished (Literally)
One of the most aggressive shifts: deindexing. Google straight-up removed low-quality pages from search results. No soft decline. Just… gone.
Common casualties?
- Duplicate content
- Outdated resource pages
- Blogs full of recycled info or templated language
If you noticed a sudden drop in visibility for older, untouched content, this could be why.
Who Got Hit the Hardest?
Now that we’ve covered what changed, let’s talk about who felt it most. Early SEO chatter and tracking tools point to these high-risk areas:
| Content Type | Risk Level | Why It’s Vulnerable |
|---|---|---|
| AI-Generated Content (Unedited) | 🔥 High | Lacks originality, nuance, and purpose |
| Affiliate-Heavy Pages | ⚠️ Moderate-High | Built for clicks, not value |
| Thin or Generic Pages | 🔥 High | Doesn’t stand out or serve a real purpose |
| Spammy Link Schemes | 🚫 Red Alert | Link manipulation is now a direct route to penalties |
Each of these tells the same story: if you’re relying on shortcuts, your rankings are at risk.
This isn’t about checking SEO boxes anymore. It’s about delivering impact.
You may like: A Local Business Guide to Ranking in the Age of AI-Powered Search
Traffic Dropped? Here’s Your Recovery Plan
When rankings crash, panic is understandable – but not productive. Recovery starts with smart, strategic moves.
Step 1: Diagnose, Don’t Guess
Start with Google Search Console:
- Look for traffic drops after March 27
- Check which URLs fell off the map
- Flag content with high impressions but poor engagement
You can’t fix what you don’t understand.
Step 2: Clean House Carefully
Don’t hit delete just yet. First, ask:
- Is this content unique or just rehashed?
- Is it recent and relevant?
- Would a real user find this helpful?
💡 If it’s outdated or light on insight, revise it first. Only delete if it’s beyond saving.
Step 3: Put Helpfulness at the Core
Your content should answer real questions, solve real problems, or share real insight. Ask:
- What’s the user trying to do when they land here?
- Is this content clear, concise, and complete?
- Would I trust this page if I were the reader?
And yes, AI content can be part of your workflow. But human editing, perspective, and structure? That’s where the magic happens.
Step 4: Audit Your Links
Backlinks from shady sites? Paid guest posts on random domains? Old-school SEO tricks?
Google’s spam filter just leveled up.
Focus instead on:
- Natural backlinks from credible sites
- Mentions from communities, podcasts, and newsletters
- Internal linking that improves user flow and topic authority
Post Google Update Risk Radar
Use this quick-reference chart to audit your current content strategy:
| Content Type | Risk Level (1–5) |
|---|---|
| Thin, low-value content | 5 |
| AI-generated content without edits | 4 |
| Affiliate-heavy pages | 4 |
| Helpful, original long-form | 1 |
| High-quality backlink strategies | 1 |
If your strategy leans toward the 4s and 5s—it’s time for a refresh. Google’s made it clear: value-first content wins.
What Should You Do Next the Core Update?
Here’s your post-update SEO checklist:
✅ Audit your content for originality and clarity
✅ Reprioritize E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trust)
✅ Refresh or remove low-quality pages
✅ Use Search Console for data-driven fixes
✅ Refocus on value-driven, long-form content
✅ Ditch manipulative link-building tactics
Need Help Digging Out?
We get it. Updates like this can wreck your momentum, but they can also spark a smarter strategy.
At Codesm, we help brands turn traffic drops into comebacks with scalable SEO, smart content, and modern audits that don’t just fix—but elevate.
📩 Let’s talk about getting your rankings back on track.
