Introduction
It has become essential for people working with SEO to be aware of the recent SEO updates, as search engines like Google are evolving rapidly. No matter whether you are running a blog, managing a website or dealing with client projects, you must consider these changes to maximize visibility, rankings and organic traffic as well. In the last six months, SEO has gone through major algorithm changes and seen shifts in algorithm patterns. Moreover, the rise of AI–driven search and updates to Search Console have fueled this scenario. So, this blog mainly focuses on breaking down everything that has changed in recent times and what you should be aware of to stay ahead.
Major Google algorithm updates
Google made major algorithm adjustments in the last six months. You need to have a strong understanding of these changes to align your content and strategies with Google’s expectations. Google rolled out core updates in March 2025 and another one in June 2025, leading to high ranking volatility. The key focus of these updates was on increasing the quality of search results by identifying and demoting low-value, shallow and AI-generated content, which fails to provide real value to users. As a result of these SEO updates, thin content dropped, pages with poor user experiences declined, and high-quality and authoritative content gained better visibility.
Major SERP changes
Another component of SEO updates in the last six months includes the changes in how search results appear and function. Google has focused on reducing complexities in search results by removing features that deliver minimal user engagement. Moreover, some structured-data-based features were deprecated that have helped minimize clutter and add more prominence to core results. Mobile UI has also been changed by removing breadcrumbs as part of the recent SEO updates. Now users can heavily rely on page titles, Meta descriptions and branding elements. In turn, it has increased the importance of key-focused titles.
Use of AI in search
The prominence of AI-powered search results has made a strong contribution to initiating the biggest transformation in SEO in the last six months. The use of AI in search has a significant impact on the recent SEO updates, initiating a shift from traditional SEO to Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). Therefore, it has become essential for websites to optimize their results for generative search spiders and LLM-driven answer platforms besides Google. Websites also need to be optimized for dealing with chat-based AI assistants to provide concise answers within the content and maintain factual accuracy, along with the authority of the content. As a result, it has become important to write such content that directly addresses user queries in simple and clear language.
Introduction of Query Groups in Search Console
Google Search Console has recently introduced Query Groups, which is considered one of the most practical SEO updates since June. It has main purpose is to group similar types of queries together instead of showing different similar queries separately. This update is important because it helps pick out broader content themes and reduces keyword cannibalzation. Moreover, it matters in terms of improving the understanding of user intent and planning topic content more effectively. Thus, this update is more important for content creators to focus on high-impact topics by reducing confusion.
Structured data and Schema changes
Another crucial part of the recent SEO updates is changes in structured data and schema. Google has removed multiple unused structured data types; however, core schema formats are yet to play a useful role. The schema which presently matters the most includes:
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Organization schema
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Article schema
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FAQ Page
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How To
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Product & Review schema
In addition, Google has focused on increasing the value of brand authority. It is true that backlinks are important, but brand mentions and entity-level authority are major ranking factors after the recent SEO updates. It ensures website presence across news sites, social media, forums, niche directories and third-party mentions can have a significant influence on how your site is perceived by search engines and AI models.
Importance of these SEO updates
It is necessary to focus on adapting the right strategy as the changes are happening quickly. The first and foremost thing is to create high-quality and helpful content. Google has become stricter than ever about what qualifies as helpful by considering content that satisfies user needs, offering value beyond generic AI-generated articles. Content creators must also be aware of creating factually accurate and updated content.
Secondly, you should optimize for both SERP and AI answers to keep up with the SEO updates introduced in the last six months. Accordingly, it can be helpful to structure content with short answers, clear headings, bullet points and FAQs to appear in AI overviews or voice responses.
Additionally, you must audit your schema markup by removing outdated schema and keeping only what is supported. Also, ensure that the structured data you are using validates without any errors.
You also need to improve your authority and trust to follow the recent SEO updates efficiently. Google acknowledges websites that demonstrate expertise, experience, authoritativeness and trustworthiness (EEAT). This can be built through author bios, citing sources, getting mentions from reputable platforms, and showing real-world experiences.
Due to the introduction of the new “Query Groups”, you must consider reviewing analytics and user engagement. With new query grouping and volatility, you need to check major KPIs like click-through rate, time on page, engagement, bounce rates and conversion pathways. Some content also needs to be updated to maintain rankings.
Conclusion
Some of the most significant SEO updates have been introduced in the last six months. Starting from core algorithm refinements to the rise of AI-driven searches and UI simplifications, SEO is no longer just about rankings. The shift toward brand authority and structured content is also important for websites to be recognized as a credible source on all search platforms. So, if you want to stay ahead, this is the right time to evolve your strategy. Focus on creating high-quality and trustworthy content, optimize your website for both traditional and AI-powered searches and build strong digital authority.
Know more about the SEO updates in 2025.