Update the Google Algorithm in June 2025: Why does Google Discover traffic drop dramatically?

FAJAR.CO.ID – In June 2025, Google launched a core algorithm update (core update) which had a significant impact on website traffic, especially from the Google Discover feature.

This update, which took place from 30 June to 17 July 2025, caused a drastic decline in visibility and traffic for many news publishers and other content sites.

Decreased traffic from Google Discover

Many publishers report a sharp decline in traffic from Google Discover after this update. Some sites have decreased by 50% in a short time. This update seems to tighten the content criteria displayed in Discover, emphasizing higher quality and relevance.

AI Overviews Integration in Google Discover

Google began to integrate the AI Overviews feature into the feed discover, which presents a summary of content from various sources directly in the Google application. Although this feature was originally launched in the US and focused on lifestyle topics, its presence raises concerns among publishers because of the potential decrease in clicks to the original site.

Factors that influence traffic decrease

1. Cheating on the eeat

Google increasingly emphasizes experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness in assessing content. Content that does not meet this standard tends to decrease in ranking.

2. Increased zero-click searches

With AI Overviews, users get direct answers in search results without the need to click on links, reduce traffic to the website.

3. Organic traffic decrease

Data shows that many large news sites have decreased significant organic traffic since the launch of AI Overviews. For example, Huffpost and The Washington Post decreased by more than 50% in the last three years.