What This Update Means for SEO

The Google June 2025 Core Update wasn’t just another routine refresh. It’s part of a larger pattern that emphasizes:

E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness).
Deeper contextual understanding of links and content.
Stronger spam detection against manipulative link-building tactics.

John Mueller from Google has repeatedly cautioned: “Guest posting for links is against our guidelines when done at scale.” The June 2025 update appears to enforce this more rigorously, particularly against irrelevant or low-value placements.

Key post-update observations:

Ranking volatility is lasting longer than usual, with some sites seeing 30–50% swings in organic traffic.
AI Overviews are taking more SERP real estate, potentially reducing click-throughs even for high-ranking pages.
Websites that publish in-depth, topic-relevant content are seeing steadier rankings.

Guest Posting in 2025: What’s Changed

Guest posting is far from dead — but it’s no longer about volume. The June update makes it clear: Relevance, quality, and authority matter more than ever.

Here’s what’s different:

1. Quality Over Quantity

Links from irrelevant or low-authority sites now carry little to no SEO benefit.
Google rewards guest posts that directly match your niche and audience.

2. Content Depth Matters

Shallow, generic guest posts risk being ignored — or worse, flagged.
Long-form, insight-driven content improves both SEO and brand trust.

3. Smarter Spam Filters

Automated detection systems can now identify pattern-based link schemes faster.
Mass guest posting campaigns for backlinks alone are riskier than ever.

Best Practices for Guest Posting Post-Update

If you want your guest posting strategy to thrive after the Google June 2025 Core Update, focus on value-driven execution:

Choose Authoritative, Relevant Sites
- Target websites with real audiences in your niche.
- Look for sites with strong engagement metrics, not just high Domain Authority.
Write for Humans, Not Just Search Engines
- Avoid keyword stuffing.
- Prioritize unique insights and actionable advice.
Build Relationships, Not Just Links
- Collaborate with industry leaders and reputable publishers.
- Engage in genuine content partnerships.
Audit Your Backlink Profile Regularly
- Identify and disavow harmful or irrelevant links.
- Monitor the SEO impact of each guest post.
Diversify Your SEO Strategy
- Pair guest posting with technical SEO, content hubs, and thought leadership articles.

Expert Insight: Why This Matters

Barry Schwartz of Search Engine Roundtable recently noted that the June 2025 update “appears to more aggressively reward expert-led, topical authority content while diminishing the SEO benefit of thin or off-topic guest posts.”

This aligns with Google’s long-standing guidance: Earn links naturally by providing genuine value, not by manipulating the algorithm.

Final Take: Is Guest Posting Still Good for SEO in 2025?

Yes, but only when it’s done strategically.

The impact of the Google June 2025 Core Update on guest posting is clear:

Relevant, high-quality guest posts can still boost authority, visibility, and referral traffic.
Spammy, irrelevant, or mass-produced guest content is more likely than ever to be devalued.

In short: Guest posting isn’t dead — it’s evolved. If your strategy aligns with user intent, niche relevance, and content excellence, it remains a valuable SEO tool well into 2025 and beyond.

Pro SEO Tip

When pitching guest posts post-update, lead with original research, case studies, or firsthand experience. These elements are harder for AI to replicate and more likely to earn lasting rankings.