Thursday morning, coffee in hand, everything calm. You open Analytics (because we all know you check traffic more than Instagram) and… Surprise! Your traffic isn’t what it used to be.
You take a deep breath, open Search Console hoping it’s just a mistake. But no. Your top keywords have been banished from the first page, and the competition, which wasn’t even a contender yesterday, is now smiling from the top 3.
Coincidence? No. It’s the march 2025 Core Update.
Google has tweaked its algorithm again, and panic is spreading among SEOs, marketers, and business owners. But before you throw in the towel and change your entire website in a desperate frenzy, hold on.
Let’s analyze what we know so far, what we don’t know, and what to do while the algorithm finishes settling.
What’s happening?
Google has done it again. On March 13th, around 5 PM (Spanish time), the rollout of a new Core Update began, meaning the search algorithm is in the midst of a re-adjustment, reshuffling what factors matter most and how they’re measured.
What does this adjustment mean?
- Volatility in rankings. That is, some websites are dropping, others are rising, and many are fluctuating.
- Your content may no longer “convince.”
Google is looking for something deeper, more useful, and truly relevant. If your website hasn’t refreshed its content in a while or relies on very generic articles, you might now be relegated to the background. - User Experience (UX) is in question
Is your website slower than a 1999 streaming service? Or does it look terrible on mobile? Google is keeping a very close eye on speed, responsive design, and usability. If your competition is doing it better, that’s a point for them. - Lack of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expert Experience, Authority, Trust)
Google insists: it wants reliable sources, recognizable authors, verified data, and websites that look professional. If you’re publishing content without references, without demonstrating your expertise or credentials, you may be in trouble now. - Your competition that got their act together
While you were resting on your laurels with good rankings, others have optimized content, improved speed, and created an epic blog. The Core Update has simply acknowledged their work, and that stings.
Important: If you’ve dropped in rankings, it doesn’t mean your website is bad or that you’ve done something wrong. Google is simply recalibrating how it values your content and the user experience you offer.
How to know if you’ve been affected by this update?
Before jumping to the worst conclusion, check these key indicators:
- Google Search Console: Have you noticed a significant drop in impressions and clicks starting on March 13th?
- Keywords and rankings: Have your main keywords dropped sharply in Semrush, Ahrefs, or any other tool?
- Organic traffic: Does Google Analytics show a considerable drop in visits from search?
If you answered “yes” to more than one question, the update has affected you. But it’s still too early to draw definitive conclusions…
And now what? What NOT to do
We know that seeing a traffic drop can make you want to tweak everything at once (besides leaving you without nails), but… STOP RIGHT THERE! Here are the things you should NOT do right now:
- Don’t make drastic changes: Deleting content, changing URLs, or modifying your entire SEO strategy without fully understanding what’s happening can make things worse than the update itself.
- Don’t panic if you see daily fluctuations: Google is still adjusting its algorithm, so it’s normal for rankings to fluctuate for days (or even weeks).
- Don’t automatically blame your website: Before thinking your content is bad, check if the drop is widespread across your industry.
Key advice: Right now, the best thing to do is observe and gather data. Take note of what’s been affected and wait for the update to finish rolling out before making any major changes.
What CAN you do in the meantime?
While Google plays chess with rankings, there are some things you CAN do to be prepared:
- Monitor your performance: Use Google Search Console and SEO tools to identify which pages or keywords have been most affected.
- Improve what you already have: No rush, but don’t delay either. If your content is outdated, reinforce it with current information.
- Optimize user experience: Page speed, responsive design, and a good link structure. These improvements are always beneficial.
- Stay updated with SEO community conversations: X, forums, and specialized groups often share valuable insights on what’s working and what’s not.
Key point: Don’t make drastic changes right now, but use this time to spot potential improvements that you can implement once the update stabilizes.
How long will it take to stabilize?
Google’s Core Updates usually take up to two weeks to roll out completely. This means that what you see in rankings today is not definitive. Some sites drop and then recover, others fluctuate, and some, unfortunately, take longer to adapt.
In any case, SEO is a game of endurance, not speed. The worst mistake you can make right now is making decisions based on panic.
Conclusion: Calm, analysis, and patience
The March 2025 Core Update has shaken up search results, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world.
Key points to remember:
- Don’t make impulsive changes.
- Wait for the algorithm to stabilize before drawing conclusions.
- If there’s something to improve, do it strategically, not out of desperation.
Updates like this always create uncertainty, but if you follow best practices and focus on providing the best content and user experience, Google will recognize it sooner or later.
So, take a deep breath, monitor, and keep creating value. SEO is not about winning the battle of one day, but about staying in the war for the long term.
