Google’s August 2025 Spam Update: What It Means and What You Should Do
Google has just rolled out its August 2025 Spam Update—the first spam-related update in eight months. Announced on August 29, 2025, this update is expected to take a few weeks to fully roll out and will impact all languages and regions.
If your website sees changes in traffic or ranking in the next few weeks, this update could be the reason.
What Is a Spam Update?
A “spam update” is Google’s way of cleaning up low-quality or manipulative content in search results.
That means Google is trying to remove or demote websites that use shady tricks like:
AI-generated content with no real value
Keyword stuffing (using the same keyword over and over unnaturally)
Buying backlinks or using link farms
Hidden text or redirecting users without them knowing
Thin content (pages with little or no useful information)
In short, Google wants real, helpful content—not shortcuts.
Why This Update Matters
This is Google’s first spam update in 2025, and it’s the first major algorithm change since the June 2025 Core Update. While Google describes this as a “normal” update, we’ve seen in the past that even routine updates can cause big traffic changes for affected websites.
So, if your site’s:
Search rankings drop
Traffic suddenly dips
Pages disappear from results
…it could be tied to this rollout.
Will My Website Be Affected?
You may be at risk if your website has:
Copied or repetitive content
Lots of low-quality or irrelevant backlinks
AI-written articles with no depth or clear structure
Keyword-heavy text that feels unnatural
Pages that load slowly or have poor user experience
Google’s AI-powered spam detection is getting smarter, so even older “grey hat” SEO techniques might now be penalized.
What Should I Do If I’m Affected?
Here’s a simple action plan:
1. Check Google Search Console
This free tool shows how your site is performing. Look for:
Sudden drops in impressions or clicks
Indexing issues
Manual action warnings (rare, but serious)
2. Improve or Remove Thin Content
If you have pages that exist just to attract traffic—but don’t provide real value—either improve them with useful information or remove them completely.
Focus on:
Real customer FAQs
Product use cases or tutorials
Case studies, testimonials, or videos
Clear formatting (headings, bullets, images)
3. Stop Risky SEO Tactics
Avoid:
Buying links
Using PBNs (Private Blog Networks)
Posting spammy comments or links on forums
These tactics used to work, but now they could get your site penalized.
Think Beyond SEO: Welcome to the Era of GEO
Even if your website survives this spam update, you still need to prepare for a bigger shift—the rise of AI-driven search.
People are no longer searching only on Google. They now ask ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and other AI tools for recommendations like:
“What’s the best lawyer in Auckland?”
“Top home renovation companies near me”
“Best solar panel brands for NZ homes”
These answers come from AI-generated summaries, which rely on trusted content, strong SEO, and brand visibility across the web.
This is where GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) comes in.
To learn more about GEO, check out:
📘 What is GEO and Why It Matters in 2025
📘 From SEO to GEO: Why Businesses Must Adapt
📘 GEO vs. SEO: What You Need to Know
📘 Google’s AI Search is Here—Is Your Website Ready?
Final Thoughts
The August 2025 Spam Update is just another reminder: quality wins in the long run.
✔️ If your site offers real value
✔️ If your content is helpful and well-organized
✔️ If your SEO follows best practices
You’re in a good position—not just for Google rankings, but for visibility in AI-powered tools as well.
But if you’re unsure where your site stands, or how to prepare for the shift toward GEO, we can help.
Visit HornTech — New Zealand’s trusted SEO and GEO specialists — and let’s get your website ready for the future of search.
