Google March Core Update Volatility Status: What SEOs Need to Know

On Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 12:30 PM ET, Google officially announced the Google March 2025 Core Update, marking the first major core update of the year.

As with all core updates, the SEO community braced for immediate ranking shifts and volatility.

However, despite early expectations, the widespread impact has been somewhat muted—for now.

Historically, Google’s core updates tend to shake up search rankings almost immediately, but this one appears to be taking a more gradual approach.

Some fluctuations were observed in the days leading up to the announcement, leading many to speculate that the update may have started earlier.

Meanwhile, industry chatter and SEO tracking tools indicate that the real impact might still be unfolding.

So, what’s happening with the Google March 2025 Core Update, and what does it mean for your website? Let’s break it down.

What is the Google March 2025 Core Update?

Google’s core updates are designed to refine search rankings, improve result quality, and adjust the way websites are evaluated based on content, relevance, and user experience.

While Google does not reveal specific ranking factors, core updates often target E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) principles.

The Google March 2025 Core Update appears to focus on improving search quality, but early observations suggest that it is rolling out at a slower pace than expected.

Early Signs of Volatility: What Are SEOs Noticing?

While some SEOs are reporting ranking fluctuations, the overall reaction from tracking tools and the SEO community has been less intense than previous updates—at least for now.

Industry discussions on platforms like WebmasterWorld and X (formerly Twitter) highlight mixed experiences:

• Some websites have seen significant traffic spikes, while others reported unexpected ranking drops.
• Several news and e-commerce sites experienced temporary boosts but later saw traffic corrections.
• Sites with thin content or weaker backlink profiles seem to be experiencing steeper declines.
• There are also cases where rankings remained stable, leaving SEOs wondering whether the real impact is yet to come.

Google March 2025 Core Update: What the Data Says

To better understand the update’s volatility, we analyzed data from SEO tracking tools that monitor ranking fluctuations in real time:

• SEMrush Sensor (source): Reports moderate ranking fluctuations but not at extreme levels yet.
• Mozcast (source): Indicates relatively calm conditions, suggesting the update is rolling out slowly.
• SERPstat & AccuRanker (source): Show increased volatility, but not as widespread as some expected.
• Sistrix & Cognitive SEO (source): Noting early movement in niche markets, especially for informational queries.

Interestingly, several tools picked up significant volatility in the week before the announcement, supporting the theory that Google may have started deploying changes earlier than officially stated.

Who Are the Biggest Winners and Losers?

As with every core update, there are clear patterns emerging in terms of who benefits and who loses visibility.

📈 Winners:

✅ High-quality content websites that align with Google’s E-E-A-T principles.
✅ Niche authority sites with in-depth, well-researched content.
✅ Websites improving user experience (UX), page speed, and technical SEO.
✅ Google Discover-friendly sites, especially news and industry blogs.

📉 Losers:

❌ Thin content and AI-generated spam websites appear to be taking a hit.
❌ Affiliate-heavy sites with little original content seem to be losing rankings.
❌ Websites relying on outdated SEO tactics, such as excessive keyword stuffing and low-quality backlinks.
❌ Some e-commerce sites experiencing keyword shifts, possibly due to changes in product-based search results.

How to Adapt to the Google March 2025 Core Update

If your website has been affected (positively or negatively), now is the time to adapt and optimize your SEO strategy.

✅ Actionable Steps to Protect Your Rankings:

• Focus on E-E-A-T: Ensure your content demonstrates experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness.
• Review Content Quality: Remove or improve low-value pages that don’t offer unique insights.
• Strengthen Internal Linking: Make it easier for search engines to understand your site structure.
• Improve Page Speed & UX: Google continues to prioritize fast, mobile-friendly websites.
• Audit Your Backlink Profile: Remove toxic or spammy backlinks that could be harming your authority.
• Monitor Keyword Trends: Use Google Search Console and tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to track changes in keyword rankings.

What’s Next? Monitoring the Impact of the Update

Given that the Google March 2025 Core Update has not yet shown its full force, SEOs should continue to monitor ranking changes over the next few weeks.

🔍 Recommended Tools to Track Changes:

• Google Search Console – Monitor impressions, clicks, and ranking shifts.
• SEMrush/Ahrefs – Analyze keyword performance and competitor movements.
• SERP volatility trackers – Keep an eye on tools like Mozcast and Sistrix.

It’s possible that we may see more extreme volatility in the coming days as the update fully rolls out. Google’s past updates have sometimes taken weeks to stabilize, so patience is key.

Conclusion

The Google March 2025 Core Update has kicked off with mild but noticeable volatility, but the real impact may still be unfolding.

As Google continues refining its search algorithms, businesses and SEOs must prioritize high-quality, user-first content to stay competitive.

If you need help navigating this update and optimizing your website for better rankings, our team at SEO Hunter is here to help! 🚀 Contact us today for a free SEO audit and expert consultation!