Another big week in SEO. Google dropped TWO algorithm updates, AI Overviews are reshaping how people search, and your Google Business Profile just got more important.
Here’s what you need to know—and what to actually do about it.
1. Google’s March 2026 Core Update Is Rolling Out
Google officially started rolling out the March 2026 core update on March 27th. It’s expected to take about two weeks to complete.
Google’s official statement: “This is a regular update designed to better surface relevant, satisfying content for searchers from all types of sites.”
What this actually means:
This isn’t a penalty update—it’s a quality reassessment. Google is re-evaluating which pages best satisfy what users actually want, not just which pages contain the right keywords.
If you see ranking drops over the next two weeks, don’t panic. Rankings typically stabilize once the rollout completes. But if drops persist, it’s a signal to audit your content quality.
What to do:
- Don’t make major changes mid-rollout
- Monitor your Search Console data (but wait for the dust to settle)
- Focus on whether your content truly answers what people are searching for
2. March 2026 Spam Update Completed in Record Time
Google also released a spam update on March 24th—and it rolled out in just ONE day. That’s unusually fast.
This is the first spam update of 2026 and the second algorithm update this month. Google didn’t specify what type of spam it targeted, but if you saw sudden ranking drops around March 24-25, this could be why.
What to do:
- Check if any of your backlinks look spammy or manipulative
- Review your content for anything that could be seen as low-quality or auto-generated
- If you lost rankings, audit your site against Google’s spam policies
3. AI Overviews Are Changing Search Behavior (And Not In Your Favor)
Here’s a stat that should concern every small business owner: according to recent research, only 1% of searches result in a user clicking a link from within an AI Overview.
Even broader, about 60% of traditional searches now end without any click at all—the “zero-click search” phenomenon.
Google’s AI Overviews are pushing traditional organic results further down the page. For informational queries especially, users are getting answers without ever visiting your site.
What to do:
- Target queries where AI can’t fully answer (specific product comparisons, local services, personal advice)
- Build your brand so people search for you directly
- Focus on content that requires depth AI summaries can’t provide
- Don’t abandon SEO—but diversify your traffic sources
4. Your Google Business Profile Is Now a Live Ranking Signal
Big shift for local SEO: Google is treating your Google Business Profile as a content channel, not just a static listing.
Businesses that regularly update their GBP—with posts, photos, Q&A responses, and fresh information—are seeing better local rankings than those who “set it and forget it.”
Google also added AI-powered review reply suggestions and stricter verification requirements this month.
What to do:
- Post to your GBP at least weekly (offers, updates, tips)
- Respond to every review (AI suggestions can help but personalize them)
- Keep your hours, services, and photos current
- Treat GBP like a social media channel, not a phone book listing
5. E-E-A-T Is Non-Negotiable in 2026
Every analysis of the March core update keeps coming back to the same thing: E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) matters more than ever.
Google is increasingly sophisticated at evaluating whether your content comes from someone with genuine experience and expertise—or whether it’s generic content that could be written by anyone (or any AI).
What to do:
- Add author bios with real credentials to your content
- Show your experience (case studies, examples, “I’ve done this”)
- Get cited/linked by other reputable sites in your industry
- Build topical authority by covering your niche comprehensively
The Bottom Line
This week’s theme is clear: quality and authenticity win.
Google’s updates are getting better at identifying content that genuinely helps users versus content that just checks SEO boxes. The businesses that will thrive are the ones creating content from real expertise and treating their online presence as an ongoing relationship with customers—not a one-time optimization project.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all these changes, start with one thing: look at your top 5 pages and ask yourself, “Does this actually answer what someone searching for this would want to know?”
If the answer is “sort of” or “not really”—that’s your priority for the week.
Got questions about how these updates affect your specific business? Hit reply—I read every email.