Google began rolling out its December 2025 core update to Search rankings on December 11, 2025, confirming the release on its Search Status Dashboard. The rollout may take up to three weeks to complete and is Google's third core update of 2025.
Key Details
Google lists the December 2025 core update as an incident affecting rankings on the Search Status Dashboard. Core updates are broad changes to Google's ranking systems that can shift how content is evaluated, rather than targeted actions against specific sites.
- Rollout started at 9:25 a.m. Pacific Time on December 11, 2025.
- Google says the rollout may take up to three weeks to complete.
- This is Google's third core update of 2025.
- Earlier 2025 core updates were released in March and June.
- Timing and classification details are tracked on the Search Status Dashboard.
Background Context
The December 2025 core update follows two earlier core updates released in March and June 2025. The March update rolled out from March 13 to March 27, and the June update ran from June 30 to July 17.
According to Google, the March rollout lasted 14 days, while the June rollout lasted about 16 days.
| Core update | Rollout dates | Reported duration |
|---|---|---|
| March 2025 core update | March 13 - March 27, 2025 | 14 days |
| June 2025 core update | June 30 - July 17, 2025 | About 16 days |
| December 2025 core update | Began December 11, 2025 | Up to three weeks (per Google) |
Google's public documentation describes core updates as broad improvements to the systems that generate search results. These updates can cause noticeable changes in how content ranks, reflecting adjustments in how relevance and quality are assessed.
Core updates are not designed to target specific websites or pages. Instead, they refine how Google's systems understand content and search intent, which Google compares to refreshing a list of the best content on a topic.
Source Citations
Two days before the December 2025 core update began, Google revised its core updates documentation. The updated documentation adds language about continuous algorithm changes and smaller, unannounced core updates.
In this documentation, Google notes that improvements to content can have an impact outside major core update periods. The company explains that it continually updates its search algorithms, including smaller core updates that are typically not announced because they are less widely noticeable.
For the December 2025 core update, Google is reporting ongoing progress through the Search Status Dashboard, which will indicate when the rollout is complete. This status page remains the primary official source for timing information about Search ranking incidents.
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