Google has started rolling out the December 2025 Core Update, the third core update this year. As expected, many websites are already seeing ranking fluctuations, traffic ups and downs, and visibility changes.
If you’re running a content or web-development website, this update is important — but not something to panic about.
Let’s break it down in a simple and practical way.
What Is a Google Core Update?
A Google core update is a broad algorithm change that affects how Google understands and ranks content across the web. It’s not a penalty and it’s not targeting one specific issue like links or spam.
Google explains core updates clearly on its official documentation:
👉 https://developers.google.com/search/updates/core-updates
In short, Google is re-evaluating content quality, relevance, and usefulness — and then reshuffling rankings accordingly.
That’s why even good websites sometimes see drops, while others gain visibility.
Why Rankings Change After a Core Update
Ranking changes don’t always mean something is wrong with your site.
Most of the time, Google is:
- Better matching content with search intent
- Comparing your page with newer or more helpful content
- Re-evaluating experience, expertise, and trust
During the rollout phase, volatility is normal. Rankings usually settle after the update fully completes, so avoid making quick decisions.
What Google Is Clearly Rewarding Now
Based on recent updates and trends, Google continues to push these signals harder:
1. Helpful, Experience-Based Content
Content written from real experience performs better than generic or AI-rewritten pages. Practical examples, clear explanations, and original insights matter more than word count.
If you publish tutorials or guides, make sure they actually help users — something we focus on in our web development articles on Makemychance:
👉 https://makemychance.com/
2. E-E-A-T Still Matters
Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) are not new, but Google is better at identifying them now.
Pages with:
- Clear authorship
- Accurate information
- Honest explanations
tend to perform better over time.
3. Clean UX & Performance
Fast loading, mobile-friendly pages still matter. Poor user experience can quietly hurt rankings even if the content is good.
If you’re working on frontend performance or CSS optimizations, this guide can help:
👉 https://makemychance.com/understanding-css-box-model-stylesheet/
What You Should Do After This Core Update
Don’t Panic During the Rollout
Wait until the update finishes. Early ranking drops often recover once the algorithm stabilizes.
Use Search Console the Right Way
Check weekly trends, not daily changes. Compare performance before and after the update using Google Search Console:
👉 https://search.google.com/search-console/about
Focus on:
- Pages that lost the most impressions
- Queries where intent may have changed
Improve Content That Actually Lost Traffic
Instead of rewriting everything:
- Expand thin sections
- Remove unnecessary filler
- Add clearer explanations or examples
- Update outdated information
Final Thoughts
The December 2025 Google Core Update is not about punishing websites. It’s about raising the bar for content quality and usefulness.
If your site was affected:
- Don’t rush
- Analyze calmly
- Improve content with real intent and experience
Websites that focus on long-term value, not shortcuts, usually recover — and often grow stronger after core updates.
Arsalan Malik is a passionate Software Engineer and the Founder of Makemychance.com. A proud CDAC-qualified developer, Arsalan specializes in full-stack web development, with expertise in technologies like Node.js, PHP, WordPress, React, and modern CSS frameworks.
He actively shares his knowledge and insights with the developer community on platforms like Dev.to and engages with professionals worldwide through LinkedIn.
Arsalan believes in building real-world projects that not only solve problems but also educate and empower users. His mission is to make technology simple, accessible, and impactful for everyone.
