Review of Google Algorithm Updates in 2025: Three Core Updates and One Spam Update

In 2025, Google officially confirmed four major search algorithm updates: three core updates and one spam update. Although the number of confirmed updates continues to decline compared to previous years, this does not indicate reduced ranking volatility or greater stability in Google Search results. On the contrary, 2025 was marked by high volatility in search rankings, a large number of unconfirmed updates, and a significant impact on website visibility across Google Search. Overall Dynamics of Google Algorithm Updates According to official data, Google confirmed fewer updates in 2025 than in previous years: 2025 — 4 confirmed updates 2024 — 7 confirmed updates 2023 — 9 confirmed updates 2022 and 2021 — 10 confirmed updates each At the same time, in 2024 Google stated that core updates would be released more frequently. However, the company has repeatedly emphasized that it only confirms the largest and broadest updates, while smaller changes and ongoing tests often remain unannounced. Throughout 2025, dozens of unconfirmed updates were observed, accompanied by sharp fluctuations in search rankings. This indicates that fewer public announcements do not equate to fewer algorithmic changes. Confirmed Google Algorithm Updates in 2025 In 2025, Google officially confirmed: three core updates (March, June, and December); one spam update (August). Below is a detailed breakdown of each update. Google Core Updates March 2025 Core Update The March 2025 core update began rolling out on March 13, 2025, and took 14 days to complete, finishing on March 27. Google described it as a standard core update aimed at improving the quality of search results. According to the company, the update was designed to better surface relevant and satisfying content for users across all types of websites. Google also emphasized its continued efforts to improve the visibility of creator-driven content throughout the year. The level of volatility during this update was comparable to previous core updates, with no unusual or unexpected ranking patterns observed. June 2025 Core Update The June 2025 core update started on June 30, 2025, and completed on July 17, lasting approximately 16 days. As with the March update, Google characterized this as a broad core update focused on improving relevance and user satisfaction in search results. A notable aspect of this update was the appearance of partial recoveries for websites previously impacted by the September 2023 Helpful Content Update and earlier core updates. At the same time, a period of intense volatility was observed between July 11 and July 14, resulting in significant ranking fluctuations. December 2025 Core Update The December 2025 core update began on December 11, 2025, and completed on December 29, with a total duration of 18 days. Once again, Google described the update as a standard broad core update, without providing additional details or explanations regarding specific ranking changes. Volatility during this period was uneven. While most weekdays remained relatively stable, two major spikes were recorded on Saturdays — December 13 and December 20. This pattern attracted attention within the SEO community, although Google did not issue any official commentary. Google Spam Update in 2025 August 2025 Spam Update The only confirmed spam update in 2025 began on August 26 and rolled out over 27 days, completing on September 22. Google described this update as a broad and general spam update affecting all languages and regions. No additional details were provided regarding specific spam signals or enforcement mechanisms. One defining characteristic of this update was its speed. Many affected websites experienced visibility changes within the first 24 hours. The update was aggressive and impactful. Around September 9, a second wave of activity was observed, accompanied by ranking volatility and indexing issues. At the same time, some websites previously affected by earlier spam updates reported noticeable recoveries in search visibility. Other Google Algorithm Changes and Search Developments in 2025 In addition to core and spam updates, Google implemented several other changes throughout 2025 that influenced the broader search ecosystem. Expansion of AI Mode and Gemini Models In 2025, Google launched AI Mode in Search and gradually expanded its availability across additional countries and regions. In parallel, Google continued to update its Gemini models, which power AI Mode and AI Overviews. Among the latest releases were Gemini 3 Flash and Gemini 3 Pro, aimed at improving response quality, accuracy, and performance. Algorithm Updates for Explicit Video Content In June 2025, Google updated its ranking algorithms related to explicit video content. The company stated that if Googlebot is not allowed to fetch video content files, automated protection systems cannot effectively detect severe violations, including illegal content. As a result, pages containing video content that cannot be fetched may be demoted or filtered in Google Search, particularly in Video mode. Google Search Technical Issues Throughout 2025, Google also experienced several technical issues affecting Search: In June, a short-lived serving issue impacted Google Search results. In August, a crawling bug occurred and took several days to resolve. Although these issues were not directly tied to algorithm updates, they did affect site visibility and indexing during their respective periods. Conclusions The year 2025 reinforced Google’s ongoing trend toward reduced transparency around algorithm updates while maintaining a high pace of change within Search. Fewer confirmed updates did not translate into greater stability. Instead, the year was characterized by significant volatility, accelerated development of AI-driven search experiences, and stricter quality and safety requirements. For website owners and SEO professionals, this underscores the importance of continuous monitoring, a long-term focus on content quality, and strong technical foundations, rather than relying solely on officially confirmed algorithm updates. Read this article in Ukrainian.