Video: Google December Core Update Done, News Publishers Hit Hard, Frankenstein AI Recipe Horror & Happy New Year

01/02/26
Source: Search Engine Roundtable by barry@rustybrick.com (Barry Schwartz). Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of Google’s December 2025 Core Update and SEO News Roundup

The December 2025 Google Core Update significantly impacted many news publishers, highlighting the ongoing challenges in SEO. Key developments include Google’s evolving stance on international SEO, updates to Business Profiles, and new testing features in Google AI Overviews and Chrome. Additionally, Microsoft Advertising introduced advanced reporting tools, while the SEO community reflected on annual trends and paid tribute to a notable expert.

Optimixed’s Overview: Key SEO Developments and Industry Insights from Late 2025

Impact of Google’s December 2025 Core Update

The latest core update by Google has caused considerable shifts, especially affecting news publishers. This update underscores the importance of adapting SEO strategies to remain visible and competitive in search results.

Emerging Trends and Tests in Search and Advertising Platforms

  • Google AI Overviews is experimenting with speaker icons to enhance user interaction in the US market.
  • Chrome is trialing alternatives to the Gemini button, indicating evolving user interface designs.
  • Bing is expanding the “people also ask” feature to provide more comprehensive search answers.
  • Microsoft Advertising has launched custom columns and an all accounts tab to facilitate advanced reporting and account management.

SEO Best Practices and Community Highlights

Google emphasized avoiding multiple Business Profiles for different departments to maintain accurate and efficient listings. Additionally, the SEO community celebrated annual memes shared by John Mueller and mourned the loss of Andy Drinkwater, a respected figure in the industry.

Resources for SEO Professionals

SEO practitioners are encouraged to explore training options such as those offered by Bruce Clay (seotraining.com), and to leverage tools like Prewriter.ai to enhance content creation efficiency. Staying updated via podcasts and video feeds remains crucial for continuous learning.