Alongside the core update, Google also rolled out a Spam Update in mid-June 2025 aimed at cracking down on manipulative practices. This update calls for a closer look at how your content is structured, how redirects are handled, and what kind of backlinks you’re acquiring. Let’s explore what this update targets and how to keep your domain clean and compliant.
What the Spam Update Targets
The spam update specifically penalizes:
- Cloaking & Sneaky Redirects
- Showing different content to search engines vs. users
- Misleading redirects (e.g., homepage rerouting to low-quality sites)
- Expired Domains for SEO Manipulation
- Buying old domains just to rank without offering value
- Link Spam
- Unnatural backlinks from low-quality directories or forums
- Link farms and paid do-follow exchanges
Why Website Users Should Care
Websites, especially eCommerce stores and global portals, may unintentionally trigger spam signals if:
- Old content is repurposed without relevance
- Broken redirects exist due to past migrations
- Backlink campaigns were poorly managed
Even well-meaning practices like link-building or content updates can backfire if not done transparently.
How to Stay Safe (and Recover if Needed)
- Run a Backlink Audit
- Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Search Console
- Disavow harmful or unnatural links
- Review Redirect Chains
- Fix broken or excessive redirect loops
- Use 301s wisely – avoid sending users to unrelated pages
- Clean Up Expired Content
- Remove outdated pages or add proper meta noindex
- Don’t reuse pages just for traffic unless they serve a real purpose
- Avoid Cloaking
- Ensure bots and users see the same content
- Don’t stuff hidden keywords or use doorway pages