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Google’s March 2023 Core Algorithm Update

Andrew Raso Avatar

Last updated:

24 July 2025

|

3 minutes read

Key Takeaways

  • Fine‑tuning of Google’s core algorithm emphasised user experience and quality content.
  • Core update rolled out mid‑March 2023 (around March 15–28), aligning with ongoing quarterly adjustments.
  • Focus on more naturally written, high‑quality content; inclusion of video and audio formats in crawlable content.
  • Monitor site performance and rankings continuously to detect and respond to shifts post‑update.
  • Greater weighting given to E‑E‑A‑T signals: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness.
  • Ensure valuable, well‑structured content and strong technical SEO foundations to thrive under the new ranking factors

Guide To Google’s Core Algorithm Update in March 2023

Google Core Algorithm Update March 2023 – As anyone who deals with digital marketing knows, Google’s ranking factors define the rules for engagement when it comes to SEO and showing results. In the past, Google core updates have upturned the digital landscape, exiling and penalising websites that had built shaky foundations with black hat SEO tactics.

These Google algorithm updates have made it harder and harder to succeed with anything that isn’t quality content, meaning a better user experience for searchers and better rewards for sites that contribute meaningful information and well-written content.

While most sites probably have the basics of SEO  best practices down, Google’s core updates released several times a year can still impact their rankings, causing their sites to rise or fall against new or reassessed competitors.

Fine-tuning is the name of the game as Google further optimises its algorithm

The Google core algorithm update in 2023 gives marketers a glimpse into the future of Google. The tech giant is forever looking to improve its offering to users, refining its search results and the overall user experience to cater to consumers who expect a more sophisticated and nuanced results page with integrated elements and featured highlights.

Google Algorithm Penalises Sites Using Blackhat SEO - OMG
Google Algorithm Penalises Sites Using Blackhat SEO

Google’s core updates will continue to affect search rankings, demanding businesses to refine their own content in order to keep up with the quality the search engine now expects for its users. If you want to rank highly for the right keyword and stay there for the long term, it’s essential to adapt your strategies in line with these new ranking factors.

What we know about this Google core update

For much of Google’s history, its algorithm updates were to accurately understand information in the way human beings do. Whereas content was once geared towards making sure Google’s indexation technology would correctly assess the content and relevance of pages, sophisticated algorithm updates now focus on technical optimisation and more naturally written, high quality content

In short, valuable content that’s structured in a way to maximise a good user experience is becoming more and more important for attaining higher ranks on the search results pages. In fact, even ‘written’ content is now a somewhat outdated term, as video and audio sources can also be indexed by Google’s crawlers.

What does this mean for SEO?

SEO agency experts and webmasters will need to continuously monitor their site’s performance and be ready to take agile action if they notice a drop in traffic or rankings as 2023’s Google updates roll out.

Likely, Google’s core update for the year will prioritise pages that provide more value over those currently ranking well on the search engine. The update could see a significant reshuffling of SERP rankings and a need for companies to rethink their Search Engine Optimisation SEO strategy to respond to new ranking factors.

As the update takes hold and we see its full impact on the digital landscape, we’ll keep you updated on the impacts of the Google core algorithm update and how savvy marketers should respond to the changes.

Learn about all the SEO changes and updates that happened in 2023

If you need help improving your Content Marketing SEO , content strategy, or anything online and digital marketing related, contact our team at Online Marketing Gurus today!

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