Google’s latest SEO updates in 2024 and 2025 introduced significant changes to how websites rank, with a focus on content quality, spam reduction, and user experience.

These Google SEO updates targeted manipulative tactics while improving search result accuracy, making SEO in 2026 more competitive than ever.

Google shipped multiple broad core updates, refreshed its spam policies, and continued folding its Helpful Content system into core ranking. The net effect?

• A large reduction in “unhelpful” and low-quality content in search results.
• Much tougher treatment of scaled / low-value AI content and spammy practices
• More emphasis on helpfulness, experience, and trust, not just keywords and links

To stay ahead, businesses must adapt to these SEO algorithm updates by prioritizing original content, user intent, and compliance with Google’s guidelines.

As we plan for 2026, understanding what changed in 2024–2025 isn’t optional. It directly shapes how you should build content, structure your site, and think about AI-assisted content creation.

Google Core SEO Updates in 2025

2025 was the year Google’s AI-driven ranking systems matured. Instead of focusing on keywords and backlinks alone, Google started prioritizing AI trust signals, source credibility, and content originality, especially inside AI Overviews.

Below are the major changes that defined SEO in 2025:

1. Google March 2025 SEO Update

Date: Announced on March 13, 2025, and completed on March 27, 2025

What were the key focus areas?

1. Improve ranking of high-quality, genuinely useful content

2. Further reduce low-value, unhelpful, or outdated content

3. Strengthen AI-powered ranking systems and spam / AI-content detection

What were the key changes?

1. More scrutiny on thin, low-effort pages, even if they technically met word count

2. Complaints in some niches that low-quality or irrelevant content temporarily ranked higher, a common temporary side effect during early rollout

What was the impact?

Sites that had cleaned up old, weak content, consolidated cannibalizing pages, and invested in expert-authored pieces generally did better.

Sites still leaning heavily on generic AI rewrites without added insight often drop.

Overview:

March 2025 signaled that Google is leaning even more into AI-driven understanding of quality and is less tolerant of low-value content, regardless of how “optimized” it looks.

2. Google June 2025 SEO Update

Date: Announced on June 30, 2025, and completed on July 17, 2025

What were the key focus areas?

1. A “regular” broad core update designed to better surface relevant, satisfying content from all types of sites.

2. Further refinement of how Google’s AI systems evaluate helpfulness and relevance, including knock-on effects in AI Overviews and other surfaces

What were the key changes?

1. Significant volatility in many verticals — some called it one of the larger updates of recent years.

2. Some sites previously hit by the September 2023 Helpful Content update saw partial recovery, linked to how helpfulness is now evaluated as part of core systems.

3. Drops in both classic web rankings and AI Overviews visibility when sites lost out on quality signals.

What was the impact?

1. Sites with strong overall quality, good E-E-A-T, clear topical authority, and solid UX tended to benefit.

2. Sites with mixed quality, lots of historical baggage, or inconsistent content standards saw more dramatic swings (both positive and negative).

Overview: June 2025 reinforced a core truth: AI-powered ranking ≠ AI-generated content.

The sites winning now are those that combine well-structured, technically solid websites with real expertise and original insight.

Google Core SEO Updates in 2024

Google’s core algorithm updates in 2024 changed website ranking, focusing on content quality, user experience, and spam prevention. These updates aimed to reward high-value, original content while penalizing manipulative SEO tactics. 

Investing in SEO services ensures your website stays compliant, maintains rankings, and drives organic growth. Keep reading for the core updates.

1. Google March 2024 Core Update

Date: March 5 – April 19, 2024
Duration: 45 days (longest core update rollout)
Focus: Refining multiple core systems, integrating the Helpful Content System, and reducing low-quality content.

What were the key changes?

This update integrated Google's helpful content system into its core algorithm, prioritizing human-first content and penalizing AI-generated, thin, or spammy content.

1. Google made major refinements to its ranking systems, making this update more complex than usual.

2. The Helpful Content System was fully integrated into core updates, meaning no more standalone Helpful Content Updates.

3. The update reduced unhelpful and low-quality content in search results by 45% (higher than the initially estimated 40%).

4. Overlapping updates included a March 2024 spam update (March 5–March 20) and manual actions targeting spam-heavy sites.

What was the impact?

1. Sites that optimized for search engines instead of users saw heavy ranking losses.

2. Thin, AI-generated, or unoriginal content was hit the hardest.

3. Google’s improved spam policies and core systems favored expert-driven, well-researched, and unique content.

4. INP replaced FID in Core Web Vitals, emphasizing interaction latency for user experience ranking factors.

Key Takeaways for SEO Success

1. Focus on original, high-value, and people-first content.

2. Improve site experience, including page speed and engagement metrics.

3. Monitor ranking fluctuations as Google continues refining its ranking systems.
   

2026 SEO Tip: Google is moving toward real-world user satisfaction over traditional SEO tactics. Keep optimizing for engagement, trustworthiness, and relevance to future-proof your rankings.

2. Google August 2024 Core Update

Date: August 15 – September 3, 2024

Focus: Prioritizing high-quality, original content while improving rankings for small and independent publishers.

What were the key changes?

1. Google refined its algorithm to reward useful, people-first content and reduce visibility for content created solely to manipulate rankings.

2. The update incorporated feedback from the September 2023 Helpful Content Update and aimed to better surface valuable content, especially from smaller publishers.

3. Websites in high-authority industries (healthcare and finance) faced increased scrutiny to ensure accuracy, trustworthiness, and compliance with E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) principles.

What was the impact?

1. Websites relying heavily on low-value, AI-generated, or generic content saw ranking declines.

2. Brands that demonstrated expertise, thorough research, and original insights saw improvements in visibility.

3. A temporary ranking bug in the first four days of the rollout caused fluctuations, but rankings stabilized after the fix.

Key Takeaways for SEO Success

1. Prioritize People-First Content: Avoid content created just to rank; focus on creating genuinely helpful, well-researched articles.

2. Showcase Expertise & Authority: Use expert opinions, citations, and first-hand experience to build credibility.

3. Diversify Content Strategies: Cover a range of formats (guides, case studies, expert interviews) to align with various user intents.

2026 SEO Tip: To improve rankings, invest in high-quality, research-backed content that showcases your industry expertise and aligns with Google’s evolving ranking criteria.

Quick Reads: Download Our SEO Survival Guide on Semantic SEO 

3. Google November 2024 Core Update

Date: November 11 – December 5, 2024

Focus: Enhancing search result quality by prioritizing user-first content over content created purely for rankings.

What were the key changes?

1. Google’s ranking algorithm further refined its ability to surface genuinely useful content.

2. Sites previously affected by the September 2023 helpful content update did not see major recoveries.

3. Industries with high competition, such as e-commerce and publishing, experienced notable ranking fluctuations.

What was the impact?

1. Websites that focused on original, in-depth, and user-centric content saw improvements in rankings.

2. Thin, AI-generated, or low-value content designed solely for SEO purposes faced ranking declines.

3. Rankings were highly volatile, especially around November 16–17 and November 25–26, showing significant fluctuations in search visibility.

Key Takeaways for SEO Success

1. Create authoritative, well-researched content that directly answers user intent.

2. Improve site experience and engagement, ensuring fast loading speeds and intuitive navigation.

3. Diversify content formats (videos, case studies, expert insights) to add value beyond text-based content.

2026 SEO Tip: Invest in long-term content strategies centered on expertise and real user engagement rather than quick SEO wins.

4.  Google December 2024 Core Update

Date: December 12 – December 18, 2024

Focus: Further refining Google’s ranking system to enhance search relevance and prioritize user-first content.

What were the key changes?

1. Google rolled out this update just a week after the November 2024 core update, making it an unusual back-to-back update.

2. Search ranking volatility spiked quickly within days, impacting many websites.

3. Google reinforced its stance on prioritizing valuable, people-first content over SEO-driven content.

What was the impact?

1. Websites that relied heavily on AI-generated or thin content saw continued ranking declines.

2. Sites focused on detailed, original, and expert-driven content experienced stability or gains.

3. Industries like e-commerce, publishing, and YMYL (Your Money, Your Life) niches faced notable fluctuations.

4. We would use the word “suffered” to refer to many B2B companies that faced a huge dip in their traffic due to unhygienic content marketing practices.

Key Takeaways for SEO Success

1. Prioritize high-quality, expert-driven content that meets real user needs.

2. Monitor ranking trends closely due to the increased frequency of updates.

3. Enhance user engagement with diverse content formats like videos, case studies, and interactive tools.

2026 SEO Tip: Stay agile with your SEO strategy, continuously optimizing content based on user intent and engagement signals rather than algorithm loopholes.

How Will These SEO Updates Affect Your Website in 2026?

Google’s latest SEO updates have made one thing clear—SEO in 2025 will be all about high-quality content, user experience, and adaptability. With algorithm changes prioritizing helpful, relevant content, businesses must refine their strategies to maintain and improve rankings.

1. Content Quality and Originality

Google’s updates have consistently emphasized the importance of high-quality, user-focused content.

Websites should prioritize original content that adds value for the audience.  

AI tools can assist in content creation, but human oversight and creativity are necessary. Content must be engaging, informative, and aligned with user searches.

2026 SEO Strategy: AI can assist in content creation, but human oversight and creativity remain essential.

2. User Intent Over Keywords

Keyword optimization alone will not suffice. Content must address user needs, answer queries directly, and provide actionable insights.

Content should answer user queries directly, offering solutions or insights that meet their needs. 

2026 SEO Strategy: Focus on helpful content rather than keyword stuffing.

3. Recovery from Penalties

If your site was affected by these updates, 2026 presents an opportunity to recover. 

Focus on resolving the issues Google targets, such as thin content, keyword manipulation, and low-quality backlinks.  

Recovery will require a long-term strategy that improves content, user engagement, and overall website authority.

2026 SEO Strategy: Follow Google’s content quality guidelines for a sustainable ranking boost.

4. Avoid Spam Tactics

Spammy SEO tactics, like link farming, keyword stuffing, and manipulative strategies, will continue to be penalized. 

Websites relying on these practices will likely experience further ranking drops. 

Instead, prioritize building a trustworthy website with authentic content and organic growth.

2026 SEO Strategy: Invest in organic, high-quality content marketing.

Quick Reads: How did Saffron Edge help gain 42% organic traffic?

4 Key SEO Strategies to Keep Up with Google Updates in 2026

Focusing on content depth, authority, AI-driven optimization, and seamless user experience is crucial to staying ahead.

These are strategic recommendations for 2026, not descriptions of specific Google updates, but the logical response to what we’ve seen in 2024–2025.

1. Build Deep Topical Authority

Evaluate your existing content to identify gaps, outdated material, or low-performing pieces.

Instead of one-off posts, build content clusters:

• 1–2 pillar pages per topic
• 8–15 supporting articles that cover subtopics in depth
• Logical internal linking that signals topical relationships

This helps both traditional ranking systems and AI-powered systems understand where you’re a true authority.

Refine these to align with Google’s updated criteria for depth and originality.

2. Publish First-Party Data & Case-Led Content

If everyone uses the same tools and sources, the only way to stand out is through your own data:

• Benchmarks
• Customer studies
• Before/after stories
• Performance snapshots

This type of content is hard to copy, highly referenceable, and aligns perfectly with Google’s attempt to reward original, experience-backed content.

Hire skilled writers and subject matter experts to create well-researched content. Back your claims with data, studies, and citations from credible sources.

3. Optimize for Both Classic Search & AI Overviews

Even though AI Overviews may still contribute a smaller share of traffic for many sites, recent analysis shows that drops in core ranking often correlate with reduced visibility in AI Overviews as well.gsqi.com+1

Practical moves:

• Use structured data (schema) wherever relevant
• Add concise answer blocks (short, factual summaries) to key pages
• Use clear headings, lists, and tables that AI systems can easily reuse

4. Maintain a Continuous Content Improvement Program

Core updates are ongoing quality checks, not one-off events.

Build a quarterly routine to:

• Audit and update top-performing pages
• Merge/prune outdated or overlapping content
• Improve UX, internal linking, and clarity on important URLs

Conclusion

The 2024 and 2025 core updates weren’t about punishing websites randomly —, they were about resetting the bar for what “good content” means in an AI-driven search world.

The 2024 and 2025 Google core algorithm updates have redefined the rules of SEO, prioritizing user-first strategies, high-quality content, and technical excellence. In 2026, businesses that follow these principles will have a better chance of succeeding.

Can’t keep up with the constantly changing algorithms?

Saffron Edge is here to help. Our data-driven strategies and industry expertise can guide you through the evolving SEO landscape, ensuring sustainable growth for your brand.

Contact us today, and let’s build a winning strategy for 2026!