Understanding the Impact of Google Search Core Update 2025 on SEO Best Practices

The Google June 2025 Core Update significantly impacts SEO best practices by intensifying Google's focus on expertise, experience, authority, and trustworthiness (E-E-A-T), alongside user experience factors such as mobile-friendliness and page speed. Websites that provide high-quality, valuable content with clear author expertise and real-life insights tend to benefit, while those relying on thin content or outdated SEO tactics face ranking drops.

Key impacts and SEO best practices emerging from this update include:

• E-E-A-T Emphasis: Google rewards sites demonstrating genuine expertise and trust, especially in Your Money or Your Life (YMYL) sectors like health, finance, and legal advice, where misinformation risks are high.

• Content Quality Over Quantity: Sites with thin or low-value content are penalized. Content must be comprehensive, well-researched, and user-focused to maintain or improve rankings.

• User Experience: Fast-loading, mobile-friendly websites with intuitive navigation are favoured. Poor user experience can lead to ranking declines.

• Keyword Intent Alignment: The update shifts some keyword priorities, favouring commercial intent keywords over purely informational ones, suggesting a focus on users closer to conversion. SEO strategies should segment keywords by intent and optimise accordingly.

• Backlinks and Authority: Backlinks remain important but must be relevant and credible rather than manipulative or spammy.

• Industry-Specific Effects: Different industries experience varied impacts. Content-heavy sites, e-commerce, and local businesses should tailor their SEO strategies to reflect these nuances, such as enhancing product page content or leveraging local SEO tactics.

• Ranking Volatility: Expect fluctuations during rollout periods, requiring ongoing monitoring and adaptation.

In summary, the June 2025 Core Update reinforces a shift toward authentic, user-centric SEO that prioritises expertise, trust, and meaningful content, alongside strong technical performance and user experience. SEO best practices now demand a holistic approach combining content quality, authoritativeness, and technical optimisation to thrive in Google’s evolving search landscape.