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Google's August 2025 Core Update: What Small Businesses Need to Know
News | | 5 min read

Google's August 2025 Core Update: What Small Businesses Need to Know

Google has confirmed that its August 2025 core update began rolling out on August 5, with the full rollout expected to take approximately two weeks. As with previous core updates, this one targets the overall quality and relevance of search results across all content types and regions.

For small business owners, core updates can feel like an earthquake. Rankings that took months to build can shift overnight, and the temptation to make drastic changes is real. Here is what we know so far and how you should respond.

What Google Has Said

Google’s official communication was brief, as usual. The company posted on its Search Status Dashboard that the August 2025 core update was rolling out and linked to its standing guidance on core updates: focus on creating helpful, reliable, people-first content.

This update follows the pattern Google established in 2024, where the helpful content system was folded into the core ranking algorithm. That means content quality signals, including E-E-A-T factors, are evaluated as part of every core update rather than through separate updates.

Early Observations

SEO tracking tools are showing notable movement in several verticals relevant to small businesses:

  • Local service queries are seeing shifts, with some businesses reporting improved visibility for location-specific searches
  • Review-heavy industries like restaurants, contractors, and professional services are seeing ranking fluctuations
  • Content-thin pages continue to lose ground to more comprehensive resources
It is too early to draw definitive conclusions. Core updates take two weeks to fully roll out, and rankings often fluctuate significantly during that period before settling.

What Small Businesses Should Do

Do Not Panic

The worst thing you can do during a core update is make sweeping changes to your website. Rankings often bounce around during the rollout period. Wait until the update is fully complete before evaluating your performance.

Audit Your Content Quality

If you do see a decline after the update settles, take an honest look at your content. Ask yourself:

  • Does each page provide genuine value that a visitor cannot easily find elsewhere?
  • Is the content written or reviewed by someone with real expertise in the subject?
  • Are your pages well-organized, easy to navigate, and free of excessive ads or pop-ups?
  • Is your information current and accurate?

Strengthen Your Local Presence

For local businesses, make sure your Google Business Profile is complete and up to date. Respond to recent reviews, add fresh photos, and ensure your business hours and contact information are accurate. These signals reinforce your local relevance.

Monitor, Do Not React

Use a rank tracking tool like Semrush to monitor your keyword positions over the next few weeks. Document what changed and where. This data will help you make informed decisions rather than guessing.

The Bigger Picture

Google’s core updates are not punishments. They are recalibrations of how Google evaluates content quality and relevance. If your site drops, it usually means competitors are doing a better job of meeting searcher intent for those queries.

The businesses that consistently perform well through core updates are those that invest in genuinely helpful content, maintain strong technical foundations, and build real authority in their space over time.

We will continue to monitor the August 2025 core update and provide further analysis once the rollout is complete. In the meantime, focus on what you can control: creating great content and serving your customers well.