– Author: Tom Walker–
– Time To Read: 5 Minutes –
Key Facts (At a Glance)
Google has launched the first spam update since December 2024. spam update, which caused widespread volatility:
📅 Launch date: August 26, 2025
🌍 Global, all languages
⏳ Rollout: ~2–3 weeks
🎯 Focus: Spam (not core, not link-spam specific)
🔎 Systems: SpamBrain + automated detection
Table of Contents
Official Announcement From Google
What Is A Spam Update?
A spam update occurs when Google seeks to update/tweak, or improve its automated spam-catching systems to better detect existing or new tactics used by individuals to boost traffic and rankings.
While these systems run 24/7, spam updates usually mean Google is giving systems such as Google’s AI brain a serious upgrade. These help sharpen its ability to detect new tricks that may have slipped through its nets.
Types of Spam Updates (on-site vs off-site)
On-site spam examples
- Cloaking: Showing different content to search engines than to users.
- Doorway Abuse: Pages created just to rank and funnel users elsewhere.
- Hacked Content: Injected or malicious content or code placed by attackers.
- Hidden Text & Link Abuse: Stuffing keywords/links that users can’t see.
- Machine-Generated / AI Content: Auto-produced content without value.
- Misleading Functionality: Fake download buttons, deceptive ads, or trick interactions.
- Scaled Content Abuse (Programmatic SEO): Mass-generated low-value pages at scale.
- Reputation Abuse: Targeting trusted/reputable sites.
- Thin Affiliation: Pages that only exist to push affiliate links without unique value.
- User-Generated Spam: Junk in comments, forums, or profile pages.
- Malware & Phishing Spam: Pages designed to install harmful software or trick users.
Off-site spam examples
- Expired Domain Abuse: Repurposing old domains purely to manipulate rankings.
- Link Spam: Paid links, PBNs, spammy directories, and manipulative link exchanges.
- Scraping: Republishing content stolen from other sites.
- Sneaky Redirects: Sending users somewhere different than what search results promised.
- Comment / Forum Spam: Offsite link drops on blogs, forums, or guestbooks.
- Undisclosed Sponsored Links: Paid placements without proper tagging (rel=”sponsored”).
Targets policy violations
Google enforces its spam policies. This includs AI-generated junk, cloaking, hacked content, links designed to manipulate rankings, etc.
If you’re playing by the rules, you usually won’t need to change anything.
Retunes ranking systems
Broad updates that reassess content quality, relevance, & E-E-A-T across the board.
Focus on quality signals and experience — not shortcuts.
About the Author: Tom Walker
Tom Walker is a leading Sydney-based SEO consultant and the owner of Business Medics Australia. With over 15 years of experience, Tom has been heavily involved in SEO campaigns for brands like Honda, Breville, Choosi, GT Law, ZOOM Removals, Private GP in London, Stride, and many more.
Before launching Business Medics, Tom built up his expertise at established agencies in the UK and Australia. Today, he leverages his wealth of knowledge to help small and medium-sized businesses grow online through transparent, thought-led SEO strategies.
