Google’s December 2025 Core Update Is Complete
Google has completed the rollout of its December 2025 Core Algorithm Update, marking the third major core update of the year [1]. The update ran from December 11 to December 29, 2025, introducing broad changes designed to improve how relevant and satisfying content appears in Google Search results [1].
As with previous core updates, the rollout has resulted in significant ranking volatility, with search visibility continuing to fluctuate into early 2026 as Google’s systems and third-party SEO tools fully process the changes [1][2].
What We Know About the Update
Industry reporting confirms that this was a broad core update, rather than a targeted spam or enforcement action [1]. As a result:
All content types were affected, including informational, commercial, and evergreen pages, rather than any single vertical or tactic [1].
Sites have reported mixed outcomes, with some seeing notable visibility gains while others experienced declines - often without any manual action notices or explicit penalty signals [1][2].
Google did not issue any new, update-specific guidance; instead, reiterating its long-standing recommendation to focus on helpful, people-first content [1][3].
Google has consistently emphasized that ranking drops following core updates do not indicate penalties, but rather reflect adjustments in how ranking systems evaluate and prioritize content across the web [3].
What SEOs Should Do Next
With the rollout complete, January represents a critical assessment period for SEO teams. Best practices following core updates include:
Reviewing January performance data to identify stabilization trends rather than reacting to short-term volatility.
Analyzing gains and losses by content type, search intent, and query category.
Using post-update insights to inform 2026 content, UX, and authority-building strategies.
According to Google, recovery from core updates depends on long-term improvements to content quality and usefulness, not quick technical changes or algorithm-focused fixes [3].
Sources
Search Engine Land — Coverage confirming the December 2025 core update rollout dates, scope, and industry impact
Search Engine Land — Analysis of ranking volatility and post-update fluctuations
Google Search Central — Official documentation on core updates, ranking changes, and recovery guidance
