Google has officially launched its June 2025 core algorithm update. Although the most dramatic ranking movements often unfold a few days into a rollout, savvy marketers know that preparation beats panic.

In this article, we break down what this update means for your business, what to expect over the coming weeks, and how to use this as a chance to strengthen your search presence.

Let’s dig in.

Here's what we'll cover:

• Key Facts at a Glance
• What Is a Core Update, and Why Does It Matter?
• What to Expect During the Rollout
• What to Do If You’re Affected
• 8 Best Practices During a Core Update Rollout
• How to Assess the Impact After the Rollout
• How Vendasta Helps You Stay Ahead
• Pro Tips for Communicating With Clients
• FAQs

Key Facts at a Glance

• Roll-out began: June 30 at 7:34 AM PT / 10:34 AM ET
• Estimated duration: Up to 3 weeks
• Type: Broad core update impacting all industries and content types
• Official message from Google: “There’s nothing new or special that creators need to do for this update as long as they’ve been making satisfying content meant for people.”
• Frequency: This is the second core update of 2025, following the March core update
• Where to track it: Google’s Search Status Dashboard

 

What Is a Core Update, and Why Does It Matter?

Google’s core updates are broad improvements to the search algorithm, designed to ensure users receive the most helpful and relevant content for their queries.

These are not aimed at specific types of spam or sites. Instead, core updates can shift rankings across any industry, topic, or region.

Think of core updates as a recalibration of Google’s understanding of what “high-quality” content looks like, meaning even well-optimized sites can experience gains or losses.

Timeline of Recent Core Updates

Date (Roll‑out)	Core Update	Notes
Mar 13 – 27 , 2025	March 2025	Included spam‑policy enforcement changes
Dec 12 – 18, 2024	December 2024	Focus on helpful content signals
Nov 11 – Dec 5, 2024	November 2024	Aimed at reducing low‑value affiliate pages
Aug 15 – Sept 3, 2024	August 2024	Rebalanced E‑E‑A‑T weighting
Mar 5 – Apr 19, 2024	March 2024	Widest core update to date

What to Expect During the Rollout

The June update is expected to result in significant changes to search results throughout July. During this time, it’s common to see:

• Keyword ranking swings—especially in competitive SERPs
• Traffic volatility—unexpected drops or sudden surges in organic traffic
• Re-ranking loops—pages may fluctuate multiple times before stabilizing

This is all part of the process. It’s important not to panic or over-correct while the update is still rolling out. Google’s official advice? Stay the course with helpful, people-first content.

What to Do If You’re Affected

Seeing declines isn’t necessarily a sign that something is wrong. Google advises taking a holistic look at your content and user experience, guided by its self-assessment questions, such as:

1. Is your content original, substantial, and insightful?
2. Does it demonstrate first-hand expertise and experience?
3. Does the page deliver on the promise made in its headline?
4. Does your site convey trust—supported by author bios, citations, and reviews?

Keep in mind: While recovery between core updates is possible, meaningful improvements are typically reflected after a subsequent core update—once your changes have been crawled, indexed, and reassessed.

8 Best Practices During a Core Update Rollout

You can’t control Google’s algorithm, but you can control how you respond. Here’s how to approach this update strategically:

1. Document performance changes: Track fluctuations in traffic, keywords, impressions, and click-through rates. Having before/after data is critical.
2. Avoid reactive changes: Wait until the rollout is complete before making big adjustments.
3. Monitor Google Search Console daily: Look for unusual dips or spikes in impressions and positions.
4. Watch your competitors: Are they rising while you’re falling? This may indicate shifts in intent or gaps in content quality.
5. Continue publishing content: Consistency matters. Keep producing content that’s informative, relevant, and rooted in real expertise.
6. Audit underperforming content: Remove or rewrite thin, duplicate, or outdated posts that aren’t delivering value.
7. Strengthen local SEO signals: Update your citations, generate new reviews, and verify business information across directories. 
8. Reinforce E‑E‑A‑T signals: Strengthen trust and authority with clear author credentials, credible data sources, and unique expertise that demonstrates real-world experience.

How to Assess the Impact After the Rollout

Once Google finishes rolling out the update (likely by mid- to late-July), that’s your cue to dig into deeper analysis.

• Compare June vs. July organic traffic
• Segment by content type: blogs, location pages, service pages
• Identify which pages gained, held steady, or dropped
• Review keyword rankings in your most competitive markets

Tip: Use tools like Vendasta’s Executive Report to pull automated insights across your entire digital presence.

How Vendasta Helps You Stay Ahead

Vendasta partners can stay proactive through algorithm shifts with a powerful suite of AI and SEO tools designed for visibility, credibility, and growth:

• Executive Reporting & Alerts: Automate SEO performance reporting for yourself and your clients. Monitor ranking shifts, keyword trends, and traffic changes in one unified dashboard.
• Content Optimization with AI Employees: Refresh outdated posts, enhance content quality, and align with E-E-A-T standards using Vendasta’s AI Content Creator.
• Local SEO Improvements: Distribute accurate business data to aggregators and sync listings across directories in real time—ensuring consistency, trust, and higher local visibility.
• Automated Review Generation: Strengthen trust signals by generating fresh customer reviews, automating requests, and managing feedback from a single platform.

Pro Tips for Communicating With Clients

If you manage SEO for clients, now’s the time to get ahead of questions and concerns. Here’s how:

• Be proactive: Email clients with a summary of what Google’s update means
• Use plain language: “Google is adjusting how it ranks quality content.”
• Share real data: Include graphs and key metrics from Vendasta’s reporting tools
• Set expectations: “We’ll monitor changes over the next few weeks and adjust our strategy as needed.”

Final Thoughts: Algorithm Updates Are Opportunities

Core updates are a reminder that search success depends on one thing: delivering valuable content to real people. If you’re already focused on user experience, trustworthiness, and relevance, this update may reward your efforts.

If not, this is a great moment to reset and refocus.

Want to safeguard your rankings and lead the next wave of search traffic? Request a demo today and unlock the tools you need to weather updates, report with confidence, and drive growth for your clients.

Google’s June 2025 Core Update FAQs

1. What is a Google core update?

A core update is a significant change to Google’s search algorithm that affects how web pages are ranked. Unlike spam or product-specific updates, core updates apply broadly across all industries, content types, and locations.

2. When did the June 2025 core update begin?

Google began rolling out the update on June 30, 2025, at 7:34 AM PDT / 10:34 AM EDT. The rollout is expected to take up to three weeks to complete.

3. How do I know if my site was affected?

Watch for sudden changes in keyword rankings, organic traffic, and impressions in Google Search Console. If your pages experienced notable drops (or gains) after June 30, the core update may be the cause.

4. What should I do if my rankings drop?

Don’t panic or make knee-jerk changes. Google recommends reviewing your content for quality, depth, originality, and user satisfaction. Focus on creating helpful, trustworthy content that serves your audience, not just search engines.

5. Can I fix the issue and recover immediately?

Not usually. While small improvements can help, significant recovery typically happens after another core update, once Google re-evaluates your site’s changes.

6. Should I stop publishing new content during the rollout?

No. Google encourages you to continue publishing high-quality, helpful content throughout the update period.

7. Do backlinks or technical SEO still matter?

Yes—but they aren’t the primary focus of core updates. E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) and helpful content carry more weight in these broad updates.

8. Will every site be impacted?

Not necessarily. Some sites will benefit, others will decline, and many will remain stable. It depends on how your content stacks up against newer or better-optimized content in the eyes of Google’s updated algorithm.

9. How can Vendasta help?

Vendasta’s platform helps you stay ahead with tools to:

• Track and visualize ranking/traffic changes
• Refresh content with AI
• Strengthen trust signals with reviews and citations
• Provide SEO performance reporting to clients
• Automate monitoring so you don’t miss a beat

10. Where can I track the update’s progress?

Bookmark the Google Search Status Dashboard to stay up-to-date.