Google Spam Update August 2025: Simple Guide for SEO Teams

Google started a new spam update on August 26, 2025. It is a global update. It affects all languages. The rollout will take a few weeks to complete. 

This is the first spam update of 2025, and it arrived after the June 2025 core update. Some ups and downs you see now may stack on top of earlier movements. 

For brands marketing in the United States, early data indicate a rapid shift in rankings and traffic. Some sites saw changes within 24 hours of the announcement. However, the whole picture will become clear only after the rollout is complete. 

In this blog, we discuss the Google spam update August 2025 and guide you on how to address it to maintain your website’s ranking.

What is Spam Update

A Spam Update is a Google Search algorithm update focused on improving search quality by reducing low-value, manipulative, or spammy content in search results. 

These updates target websites that use deceptive tactics such as keyword stuffing, auto-generated content, link schemes, or cloaking. 

The goal is to ensure that only high-quality, trustworthy and user-focused content ranks well. For website owners, this means that sites following Google’s guidelines and offering valuable, original information often benefit, while those relying on spammy SEO practices may experience ranking drops. 

Regular updates reinforce Google’s commitment to clean and relevant search results.

• Google refers to it as a “normal spam update.”
• It enhances spam-fighting systems and is applied worldwide.
• Google did not list exact tactics or niches. That is usual for spam updates.

In short, Google is tuning systems like SpamBrain to reduce spammy content and behaviour in search results. If a site violates spam policies, it can drop in rankings or be removed. If a site improves its quality, systems may learn over time and rankings can improve again. 

The key dates and how to track them

• Start: August 26, 2025, 9:00 AM PT.
• Duration: “A few weeks” (Google will mark it complete on the dashboard).
• Context: It follows the June 2025 core update. Keep that in mind when you compare charts.

What people are reporting so far

Fast impact: SEOs reported movement within a day. Some volatility tools spiked right after launch.

Likely areas of risk: scaled or auto-generated pages that add little value, thin or doorway pages, unmoderated UGC spam, spammy link patterns and deceptive behaviour. These are consistent with Google’s.

Remember, these are observations. Google did not publish a target list for this update. Treat the reports as signals for your audit, not as the official scope of work. 

The sound effects you may see

• Cleaner SERPs. When spam is filtered, helpful pages often rise or receive better click-through rates.
• Long-tail gains. Good, intent-matched pages on niche topics may rise when thin copies drop.
• Stronger trust signals matter. Pages with clear authors, sources, and update dates are less risky across updates. These practices align with Google’s guidance.

The complex parts you may face

• Turbulence even if you are “clean.” Ranking systems get recalculated. You can see swings even if you follow the rules. Wait for the rollout to be completed before making significant changes.
• The lost link “boost” remains lost. If systems neutralise the benefit from unnatural links, you can’t get that boost back. You must earn new, legit signals. SpamBrain’s long-running work on link spam highlights this point.
• Scaled low-value content is risky. Using automation (including AI) to manipulate rankings goes against Google’s policies. Helpful content is still acceptable; spammy intent is not.

Simple plan for the next few weeks

Run a quick spam-risk audit

• Find near-duplicates made by templates or bulk tools. Merge or remove thin URLs that overlap.
• Cut thin “city/state/variant” ladders. Fold them into a strong hub page with real value.
• Moderate comments and forums. Use rel= “ugc”/”nofollow” for risky links. Lock down automated signups. Google’s docs give practical anti-abuse tips.
• Identify paid, irrelevant, or network links. Do not expect them to help after a spam update anyway.

Make your content safer and stronger

• Add bylines, reviewer notes, sources and “Last updated” lines.
• Show real experience and straightforward answers.
• Use FAQ where it helps users.

Fix your site structure

• Build pillars and clusters: one big guide (pillar), plus focused sub-pages (clusters) like how-tos, use cases, comparisons, alternatives and integrations.
• Link clusters back to the pillar and across related pages.
• When in doubt, consolidate weak pages instead of making more thin ones.

Protect revenue pages first

• Focus on BOFU pages,  comparisons, alternatives, pricing, ROI calculators, case studies and integration pages.
• Provide each page with one clear next step, demo request, pricing view, consultation or download option.

Do not panic during rollout.

• Avoid site-wide rewrites until Google marks the update complete on the dashboard. You need to clean before and after data.
• Continue publishing, but only if a new page genuinely adds value. “Freshness spam” does not help.

If you run an ecommerce site

• Check faceted navigation and tag pages for thin or duplicate content.
• Add short buying advice to category pages (sizing, fit, use cases).
• Clean up review spam and low-quality UGC.

If you run a content or media site

• Merge near-duplicate stories on the same topic.
• Maintain a single canonical master page and update it regularly.
• Moderate comments, forums and outbound links from UGC.

If you run a local or service business

• Replace many thin city pages with fewer, richer hubs.
• Use real photos, team info, hours and customer proof.
• Watch for UGC spam (forms, comments, guestbooks).

If you run a SaaS or B2B site

• Ship integration pages with real screenshots and steps.
• Build comparison and alternatives pages that explain trade-offs.
• Add expert bylines and clear update stamps.
• Treat AI-assisted text with care, helpful is okay; ranking-only is not.

What to do when Google says “rollout complete”

When Google closes the incident on the dashboard, do a simple post-mortem: 

1. Winners vs. losers by page type, topic and intent.
2. Root causes. Did drops cluster on scaled pages, doorways, UGC, or link issues?
3. Actions. Merge or remove weak pages, refresh key guides, and update internal links to ensure consistency and accuracy throughout the content.
4. New growth. Plan a few high-value pages: pillar updates, a “better than before” comparison hub, or a data study to earn links.
5. Re-crawl signals. Update sitemaps and internal links to ensure Google quickly finds your changes.

Why is this happening now? 

Spam proliferates rapidly because automation facilitates the creation of numerous low-value pages. Google’s solution is to enhance spam detection systems and refine spam policies (for example, scaled content abuse, expired domain abuse and site reputation abuse were highlighted in 2024). These updates keep results helpful for searchers. 

Some observers also link today’s changes to the broader shift toward AI-driven answers in search. That shift has raised new questions about spam at scale and how to maintain results that are useful for real people. The direction is clear: authentic, helpful and trustworthy content ultimately prevails. 

Friends, you have nothing to fear from this update. You need a plan. Use precise measurements, fix real risks and ship pages that help people.

Technical Kalyan, our goal is to turn Google changes into simple steps you can follow. 

Want to go deeper on SEO Trends and how to stay visible? Read our guide, 10 Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Trends for 2025. 

Have thoughts or questions? 

Leave a comment. We’re here to help you learn, test and grow, one update at a time.

FAQs on Google Spam Update August 2025

Q1. When did the August 2025 spam update start and how long will it run?

A: It started on August 26, 2025. Google says it may take a few weeks. Check the Search Status Dashboard for the “complete” note. 

Q2. What exactly is Google targeting this time?

A: Google did not give a detailed list. Generally, spam updates reinforce existing spam policies. High-risk areas include scaled/auto pages, doorways, deceptive behaviour, link schemes, and UGC spam. Review your site for these. 

Q3. We use AI to help write. Is that a problem?

A: AI is fine if the content helps people. Using automation mainly to manipulate rankings breaks Google’s rules. Focus on quality, originality and real value. 

Q4. Why did we drop even though we follow best practices?

A: Updates cause system-wide recalculations. Some clean sites swing during rollout. Wait for completion, then audit by page type and intent before making significant changes.

Q5. Will disavowing links fix losses from spam updates?

A: If systems have already neutralized bad link values, that “boost” is gone. Grow again with good content, solid internal links and earned mentions, not shortcuts.