Google Search Ranking Volatility Remains High Even After Core Update Ends
Google’s March 2025 Core Update may be officially over, but the SEO world isn’t settling down just yet. In fact, ranking volatility remains unusually high – prompting concern, speculation, and strategic recalibration across the SEO community.
Core Update Over… But Rankings Still Fluctuating?
According to multiple tracking tools and feedback from webmasters, search engine results pages (SERPs) have remained highly unstable even days after the core update wrapped up. Typically, once a core update concludes, fluctuations gradually decrease. However, this time, many sites are still experiencing significant ranking swings, indicating delayed or secondary adjustments in Google’s algorithm rollout.
Tools like Semrush Sensor, Rank Ranger, and others continue to report “very heated” levels of volatility. This kind of ongoing turbulence suggests Google may still be making backend refinements, even after the main update push ended.
Why Is This Happening?
Google hasn’t officially confirmed any secondary updates, but it’s not uncommon for post-core update recalibrations to occur. These may include:
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Reinforcement of ranking signals (such as content quality, authority, and EEAT)
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Testing new systems or classifiers
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Rolling back false positives from the initial update phase
Another strong possibility is that Google’s AI-powered systems are adapting in real-time to signals collected during the update, leading to a delayed impact on certain pages or industries.
Who’s Affected the Most?
Webmasters from various niches have reported instability, but the most affected seem to be:
- Affiliate sites
- YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) websites
- Low-quality content farms
- Websites with thin or outdated content
However, even well-optimized websites with consistent SEO practices have noticed unusual drops or surges, reinforcing the volatile nature of the current search landscape.
What Should You Do Now?
At SERP AI Stream, we recommend approaching this post-update volatility with a mix of patience and proactive strategy:
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Audit Your Content
Re-evaluate your pages with thin, outdated, or underperforming content. Focus on enhancing topical depth, clarity, and user intent satisfaction. -
Watch Search Console Closely
Monitor impressions, CTR, and ranking positions over the next two weeks. Look for patterns across multiple keywords or pages. -
Avoid Drastic SEO Changes
Don’t panic and make large-scale SEO overhauls during this turbulent phase. Wait for the dust to settle before drawing conclusions. -
Strengthen EEAT Signals
Refresh author bios, cite credible sources, showcase industry expertise, and use trust-building elements across your site.
What Google Might Be Doing Behind the Scenes
Given Google’s continued focus on AI-integrated search, it’s likely that machine learning models are recalibrating SERP composition based on new data collected during the update. These models may take extra days – or even weeks – to stabilize and serve consistently relevant results.
Some experts speculate that Google’s evolving search systems now function less like traditional static algorithm updates and more like living systems – constantly learning, adapting, and reshaping rankings on the fly.
Final Thoughts from SERP AI Stream
Even though the March 2025 Core Update is officially complete, the ranking volatility paints a different story. Google’s search system is clearly still in flux, and the continued turbulence suggests SEO professionals must stay adaptable, data-driven, and user-focused.
If you’re seeing unpredictable shifts in your rankings, you’re not alone. This is a critical moment to double down on quality content, technical excellence, and user trust signals. Let your SEO strategy evolve – not react.
Stay tuned with SERP AI Stream for real-time insights, updates, and expert commentary on all things Google Search and SEO.
