Google’s March Update Broken Down by Founder of Search Engine Roundtable - Barry Schwartz
Mar 17, 2025
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Barry Schwartz, the founder of Search Engine Roundtable and editor at Search Engine Land, delves into Google’s 2025 core algorithm update. He shares insights on how this update differs from previous ones and its early impacts on search rankings. Barry discusses Google's emphasis on originality, the role of AI-generated content, and the potential effects on both small and large websites. He also highlights strategies for content creators to adapt to the evolving landscape, including optimizing video for search and diversifying traffic sources.
The recent Google core update highlights the growing importance of video content, prompting creators to adapt their strategies for engagement and visibility.
Smaller independent websites face significant challenges competing against larger publishers, emphasizing the need for diversifying content strategies and building a loyal community.
Deep dives
Insights on Google's Core Update
The recent Google core update has led to uncertainty among webmasters regarding its impact on search rankings. Although some ranking volatility has been observed, it is not as widespread as in previous updates. Experts emphasize that this update encompasses multiple factors, including content quality, site design, and overall user experience, making it difficult to pinpoint specific causes for any ranking changes. As the update continues to roll out, the outcomes remain unclear, suggesting that monitoring will be necessary for an accurate assessment.
The Rise of Video Content
Video content is gaining significant traction in search rankings, partly due to Google's increasing emphasis on featuring video across its platforms. Creators leveraging platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube are seeing their videos rank effectively by strategically using keywords in titles and descriptions. This shift prompts content creators to diversify their traffic sources by incorporating video strategies, particularly when facing challenges with traditional written content. As search behaviors evolve, optimizing video content can provide valuable opportunities for engagement and visibility.
Challenges for Smaller Websites
Smaller independent websites face unique challenges in the current SEO landscape, especially when competing against larger entities with deeper financial resources. While both small and large publishers can be adversely affected by algorithm changes, smaller sites often struggle more due to their reliance on daily sales and lack of a financial buffer. To navigate these difficulties, experts suggest diversifying content strategies and embracing other channels, including social media and video platforms, to maintain visibility and engagement. Building a loyal brand and community can help smaller websites withstand fluctuating search rankings and traffic.
The Importance of Authentic, Passionate Content
Creating authentic content that reflects genuine passion and expertise is vital for standing out in a saturated market. The emphasis should be on delivering valuable information rather than solely focusing on search engine optimization tactics. Even with the rise of AI-generated content, human insight and originality remain crucial for effective audience engagement. Content creators are encouraged to write about topics they truly understand and care about, fostering a loyal audience that appreciates their unique contributions.
E621: Barry Schwartz joins the show to break down Google’s 2025 core algorithm update, which is still rolling out.
Barry Schwartz (aka RustyBrick) is the Founder of Search Engine Roundtable (seroundtable.com), an Editor at Search Engine Land, and overall the guy who most SEOs get their industry news from.
Questions covered: • What are the biggest changes in this core update compared to previous ones? • Have you noticed any early trends in rankings or volatility since the rollout began? • Google mentioned surfacing more content from creators—how do you interpret this, and do you think it will significantly change the search results? • Do you have any insights into how this update might affect smaller or independent websites compared to larger publishers? • With AI-generated content becoming more prevalent, how do you think Google will handle it in future updates? • Gary Illyes (a well-known analyst on the Google Search team) said a few weeks ago, “Originality is something we're going to be focusing on this year. That's going to be important.” What do you think this means? • Which industries or niches do you think will be most affected by this recent update? • Google’s guidance has remained largely the same—do you think website owners need to adjust their SEO strategies after this update? • One year ago, many SEOs reported their content sites “obliterated” after the March update. Now, some reported their content sites bouncing back. Do you see a trend here?
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00:00 Welcoming Barry Schwartz 00:16 Initial Thoughts on the Recent Google Update 00:58 Impact of Core Update on Website Rankings 03:09 Video Prioritized in Google Search 06:17 User-Generated Content and Social Media 08:01 Diversifying Traffic Sources 10:47 Advice for Smaller and Independent Websites 18:33 AI-Generated SEO Content 23:37 Strategies for Content Sites Post-Update 27:59 Building a Brand 30:37 Conclusion