Introduction to Google’s March 2025 Core Update
Google’s March 2025 Core Update, announced on March 13th, is expected to complete its rollout this week. The update is creating turbulence in search results, according to multiple industry tracking tools. Data from Local SEO Guide and SISTRIX indicate that this may be a highly impactful update.
Impact on Search Results
According to tracking data from Local SEO Guide, which monitors 100,000 home services keywords, the week of March 10th showed the highest SERP volatility observed in over a year. This aligns with Google’s official announcement of the March Core Update on March 13th. SISTRIX data confirms these findings, with its Google Update Radar showing movement beginning March 16th across both the UK and US markets.
Winners and Losers
Local SEO Guide identified several clear winners and losers in their tracking data. Sites gaining the most visibility include:
- ThisOldHouse.com
- Reddit.com
- Yelp.com
- HomeDepot.com
- Quora.com
Conversely, sites experiencing the most significant drops in visibility include: - DIYChatroom.com
- GarageJournal.com
- Bluettipower.com
- Everfence.com
- MrHandyMan.com
Retail Sector Impact
The retail sector has seen interesting shifts. SISTRIX data shows that notonthehighstreet.com experienced a 56.28% visibility increase in UK searches, while uniqlo.com saw a 76.12% gain. On the negative side, several retailers lost ground, with zara.com dropping 24.00%, amazon.com declining 13.84%, and diy.com falling 7.75% in visibility.
Emerging Trends
Andrew Shotland, CEO of Local SEO Guide, identified several potential patterns in this update:
1. Devaluation of Forum Content
Two forums, DIYChatroom and GarageJournal, saw visibility drops despite having experienced a 1,000%+ increase over the past year. Shotland notes this may not be a direct demotion, but Google is elevating sites like Reddit alongside features like Discussions and Forums widgets and Popular Products grids.
2. Fight Against AI-Generated Content
Sites like Bluettipower.com, which appears to have created thousands of data-driven pages likely using AI, have seen visibility declines. Other sites with “kitchen-sink, made-it-for-SEO” content are similarly affected.
3. Cross-Sector Impact
Unlike some updates targeting specific niches, this core update affects sites across various sectors, including retail, government, forums, and content publishers.
What’s Next
Google has provided little information about the improvements to its search algorithm in this core update. The full effects may not be clear until the rollout is complete. Google’s March Core algorithm update is still rolling out, and the full impact will be visible once the rollout is complete.
Conclusion
The Google March 2025 Core Update is a significant update that is affecting various sectors, including retail, government, and content publishers. The update is expected to be completed this week, and its full effects will be visible soon. As the update continues to roll out, it’s essential to monitor the changes and adjust strategies accordingly to maintain visibility and ranking.