Late June, Google quietly rolled out a core algorithm update. Nothing flashy. No dramatic announcement. Just a short post saying something like, “we’ve launched a core update; expect changes in rankings over the next few weeks.”
If you’ve been managing websites or working in content/SEO, this isn’t your first rodeo. But the June 2025 update feels… different. Something about it is hitting harder. Pages that used to sit comfortably at the top? Slipping. Pages that were barely ranking? Suddenly climbing.
So what’s going on?
Google's Not Hunting You — They're Rethinking Value
Let’s make one thing clear: this update wasn’t about punishing websites. There’s no “penalty” here. What Google is doing, though, is looking for actual value.
They’re getting smarter at telling when a piece of content was written with care—and when it was slapped together to chase keywords.
Here’s what seems to have changed, based on real-world results across several sites:
1. Human Experience Matters More Now
Content that feels like it was written from experience—whether that’s a tutorial, review, or even a story—got a lift. On the other hand, generic posts that just summarize what everyone else is saying? They’re dropping.
What to do: Add personal notes. Use real-life examples. Mention tools you’ve actually used or things you’ve tried. Readers—and Google—can tell the difference.
2. “Good Enough” Content Isn’t Enough Anymore
Before this update, you could get away with content that was just okay—informational but maybe missing depth. Not anymore. Thin content is getting demoted.
If your post is 600 words long but the topic deserves 2,000 words… you’re probably in trouble.
Tip: Go deeper. Cover the topic like someone genuinely trying to help. Don’t hold back because you’re chasing brevity.
3. Trust Signals Are Playing a Bigger Role
There’s more weight now on things like:
Author bios that explain why this person is credible.
Clear references to original sources.
Updated content that doesn’t feel outdated.
If you have articles from 2022 that haven’t been touched since… this is a good time to check them.
4. Google’s Tired of AI Garbage
Here’s the big one: this update seems to be a response to the flood of AI-generated fluff.
Now, this doesn’t mean you can’t use tools like ChatGPT or Gemini to help outline your article—but content that clearly lacks a human voice or original thought? It’s being filtered out.
You’ve probably seen those sites with hundreds of posts that all feel… the same. They’re getting hit hard.
So, If Your Rankings Dropped, What Should You Actually Do?
Look, you don’t need to panic. Core updates hit everyone differently. But if you want a practical list of what to check, here it is:
Skim your top pages — Are they still helpful? Or are they outdated?
Check Google Search Console — Look at your top queries. Did you lose impressions or clicks?
Improve your content — Don’t rewrite everything. Just go deeper where it matters.
Look at who’s outranking you — What do they do better? Is it structure, tone, depth, media?
Don’t try to cheat the system — Buying links or stuffing keywords isn’t going to help now.
The Bigger Picture: Google Wants the Web to Be Human Again
It’s ironic, right? Tech giants helped build the AI wave, but now they’re trying to clean up the mess.
This update feels like Google saying, “Alright folks, enough with the content farms. Give people something worth reading.”
And honestly? That’s a good thing. No one likes reading the same recycled junk over and over.
Final Thoughts (From Someone Who’s Been Through This)
If you’re frustrated, you’re not alone. This update hit hard for a lot of people. But it’s also a wake-up call—a reminder that if we want to build something that lasts, we have to go beyond just filling space.
Create something you’d actually want to read.
That’s what Google is trying to surface. And if you stick to that, you’re already ahead of the next update.