Google April Post Core Update Ranking Volatility Heats Up
Ranking Volatility: Just days after Google completed its March 2025 core update, SEO communities across the web are buzzing about the unprecedented ranking volatility seen during the first days of April. As of April 2 and 3, SERPs experienced wild fluctuations, with some sites gaining significant visibility while others dropped drastically.
Post-Core Update Shockwaves: What We Know So Far
The March core update concluded on March 31. Typically, rankings stabilize a few days post-update. However, this time, analysts noticed that the volatility spiked immediately after the update’s closure.
Tools like Semrush Sensor, MozCast, and Accuranker reported unusually high temperature scores, indicating major shifts. On April 2, Semrush recorded a peak volatility of 9.2/10 across several verticals.
Industries most affected:
- Health and wellness
- E-commerce
- Tech blogs
- Local services
Many high-performing domains saw double-digit ranking drops, while newer sites with niche authority saw unexpected gains.
New Signals or Delayed Implementation?
Experts speculate that the post-update turbulence may be due to a staged rollout of secondary algorithmic adjustments, possibly tied to Gemini and the new AI-indexed search model.
Others believe Google is using reinforcement learning to test which content formats best suit its updated search behavior patterns. If true, the shake-up might continue for a few more days or weeks.
Reactions from the SEO Community
Prominent SEO influencers and agency heads took to X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn to share data and opinions:
- @MarieHaynes: “Seeing very unusual movement in medical niches. AI content seems hit-or-miss. E-A-T is still king.”
- @LilyRay: “High volatility even post-core update. Possibly a secondary filter?”
- @SearchLiaison (Google’s official channel): “Core updates may require several days to settle fully. Evaluate performance over time, not in 24-hour windows.”
What Webmasters Should Do Right Now
- Don’t panic – Wait a few more days before making major changes.
- Audit your content – Focus on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness).
- Improve page speed – Faster pages are increasingly favored post-update.
- Review backlinks – Toxic links might be weighing your ranking down.
- Avoid AI content overuse – Reassess AI-generated pieces for originality.
Could This Be the New Normal?
With Gemini redefining how users interact with search, volatility may become a recurring theme. Google’s algorithm appears to be learning continuously and adjusting rankings dynamically.
To thrive, SEO professionals must shift from reactive strategies to proactive, user-centric optimization.