Did your website traffic just vanish into thin air?
You're not the only one.
That traffic drop?
It's Google's July 2025 Core Update.
Google rolled out its July 2025 Core Update (which started at the end of June), and it's been shaking up websites across the globe.
Here's the thing: your website hasn't been "punished" by Google. This isn't a penalty. Instead, Google has reshuffled the deck, changing how it decides which websites deserve the top spots in search results. Some sites have seen their traffic soar, others have watched it plummet, and many are somewhere in the middle, scratching their heads.
Luckily, this situation is temporary, and there are concrete steps you can take to get back on track.
Let's explore what actually happened and, more importantly, what you can do about it.
What did Google's July 2025 Core Update actually do?
Google describes this update as "a regular update designed to better surface relevant, satisfying content for searchers from all types of sites." That's corporate speak for "we've changed our mind about what makes a good website."
Behind the scenes, Google introduced MUVERA (Multi-Vector Retrieval Algorithm), which sounds like something from a sci-fi film but essentially means Google can now match search queries with web pages much more precisely. They're also using a new Graph Foundation Model that can spot spammy content faster than ever before.
What this means is that Google has tightened its quality filter significantly. The search giant is now laser-focused on rewarding websites that provide genuinely helpful, well-written content that comes from real experience and expertise.
What should you do to get your website traffic back up and stable?
The silver lining in all this chaos is that Google's advice remains refreshingly straightforward: create better content for real people.
But let's break that down into actionable steps you can take right now.
Focus on genuine, high-quality content that matches user intent
This isn't about stuffing keywords into boring paragraphs anymore. Google's new system is sophisticated enough to understand what searchers actually want when they type in a query.
If someone searches for "best accounting software for small businesses," they don't want a generic list of features - they want real insights from someone who's actually used these tools.
Start by reviewing your existing content through fresh eyes.
Does it answer the questions your customers are genuinely asking? Does it provide insights they can't get elsewhere?
If your content feels like it could have been written by anyone about anything, it's time for a rewrite.
Avoid AI-generated, generic, or spammy content like the plague
Here's where things get a bit cheeky.
While AI tools can be brilliant for brainstorming and research, Google's new update is particularly harsh on content that feels artificial or mass-produced. The algorithm has become remarkably adept at detecting content written by machines rather than humans with genuine experience.
This doesn't mean you can't use AI tools to help with your content creation, but it does mean that generic, templated content will struggle.
Your content needs to have personality, specific examples, and the kind of insights that only come from genuine experience in your field.
Ensure you have a fast, user-friendly website
Technical performance is just as important. Google's update places significant weight on user experience signals, which means your website needs to load quickly, work perfectly on mobile devices, and be easy to navigate.
Run a quick audit of your website's technical health on PageSpeed Insights or Screaming Frog’s SEO Spider Tool.
Are there broken links that lead nowhere? Images that take forever to load? Forms that don't work properly? These might seem like minor issues, but they can seriously impact how Google perceives your site's quality.
Page speed is particularly crucial. If your website takes more than a few seconds to load, you're not just frustrating visitors—you're sending negative signals to Google's algorithm.
Fix errors that cause confusion or pose security risks
Google's new system is particularly sensitive to websites that might confuse or mislead users. This includes everything from broken internal links to outdated contact information, missing privacy policies, or security certificates that have expired.
Take a thorough look at your website from a visitor's perspective.
Can someone easily find what they're looking for? Is your contact information current? Do all your forms work properly?
Let us help you.
At Starbright, we've been watching these algorithm changes closely and have developed strategies to help businesses recover.
Our SEO copywriting services focus on creating the kind of authentic, helpful content that Google's new algorithm rewards.
Our comprehensive SEO services go beyond just content. We'll audit your website's technical performance, identify and resolve issues that may be hindering your progress, and develop a strategy that aligns with Google's evolving requirements.
The best part?
We're a local South African digital marketing agency that understands the unique challenges businesses in our market face.
Ready to get your website traffic back on track?
Give us a call, and let's discuss how we can help you turn this temporary setback into a lasting competitive advantage.