Understanding Google's August 2025 Core Algorithm Update: What It Means for Search
Learn about the significant ranking volatility, the role of AI Overviews, and how E-E-A-T signals have become fundamental to search visibility.
Callan Pyfer
Founder & SEO Expert
Key Takeaway
Google's August 2025 Core Algorithm Update has significantly impacted search rankings, with a clear emphasis on content quality, user intent matching, and E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) signals.
What Changed in the August 2025 Update?
Google's latest core algorithm update has brought significant changes to how content is evaluated and ranked. The update, which began rolling out on August 15, 2025, has shown unprecedented focus on content quality and user satisfaction metrics.
Major Changes Observed:
- Enhanced E-E-A-T Evaluation: Content from recognized experts and authoritative sources saw significant ranking improvements
- User Intent Matching: Pages that precisely match search intent are being rewarded with higher rankings
- AI Overview Integration: Content optimized for AI Overviews is gaining additional visibility
- Content Freshness: Recently updated, relevant content is being prioritized over outdated information
Impact on B2B Businesses
B2B companies have experienced varied impacts from this update. Those with strong thought leadership content and clear expertise demonstration have seen ranking improvements, while sites with thin or generic content have faced declines.
Winners
- • Industry thought leaders
- • Companies with expert-authored content
- • Sites with strong E-E-A-T signals
- • Fresh, updated content
Affected
- • Generic, templated content
- • Sites lacking author expertise
- • Outdated information
- • Poor user experience signals
How to Adapt Your SEO Strategy
To succeed in this new landscape, businesses need to focus on demonstrating expertise and providing genuine value to their audience.
1. Strengthen Your E-E-A-T Signals
Ensure your content demonstrates clear expertise, experience, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness.
- • Add detailed author bios with credentials
- • Include expert quotes and citations
- • Showcase case studies and results
- • Display industry certifications and awards
2. Optimize for User Intent
Create content that precisely matches what users are looking for when they search.
- • Conduct thorough keyword intent analysis
- • Create comprehensive, helpful content
- • Use clear, descriptive headings
- • Include relevant examples and actionable advice
3. Prepare for AI Overviews
Optimize your content to be featured in Google's AI-powered search results.
- • Structure content with clear, concise answers
- • Use schema markup for better understanding
- • Create FAQ sections for common questions
- • Focus on being the authoritative source
Need Help Adapting to the Update?
Our team at Search Engine Optimized Marketing Agency specializes in helping B2B businesses navigate algorithm changes and maintain strong search visibility.
Get Your SEO Audit And Rank In AI SearchLooking Ahead
This update signals Google's continued evolution toward AI-powered search experiences. Businesses that invest in quality content, demonstrate clear expertise, and focus on user value will be best positioned for long-term success.
The key is to think beyond traditional SEO tactics and focus on becoming a trusted, authoritative source in your industry. This means creating content that not only ranks well but also gets cited by AI systems and referenced by other experts.
About the Author
Callan Pyfer
Founder & SEO Expert at Search Engine Optimized Marketing Agency. With over a decade of experience in digital marketing, Callan specializes in helping B2B businesses navigate algorithm changes and achieve sustainable search growth.