Impact of Google’s Latest Core Update on Dental SEO

Google released its core updates in June 2025, designed to enhance the quality of search results. It focuses on prioritising content that is relevant, credible and trustworthy. Every update can shift your rankings and ultimately impact your dental website's visibility, traffic, and patient interaction.

t is the second major Google update in 2025, which has brought significant changes to how Google evaluates website content, E-E-A-T, page structure, and local SEO. In this blog, we will break down the impact of Google's Core update on dental practices and what practices can be done to stay competitive.

What Is a Google Core Update?

Google performed the core updates several times to evaluate the algorithm's ranking of websites in the search engine results pages (SERPs). Since this Google core update isn't a minor tweak, it brings about broad changes that may cause significant fluctuations in site rankings across almost all industries.

Unlike penalties or manual actions, core updates are not intended to punish specific websites. Instead, it will re-evaluate the web ecosystem to ensure that your dental content is most helpful and has accurate results for users. 

Google focused on improving search quality results tied to real-world expertise, local intent, and relevant content in June 2025. All of this will impact how patients find and choose your dental clinic online. If your website undergoes any changes, a Google update could be the reason. 

How Does the Update Affect Dental SEO?

Here, we will take a closer look at how this core update specifically impacts dental practices and clinics:

1) Greater Emphasis on “Experience” in E-E-A-T

Google is giving more priority to firsthand experience, particularly in the healthcare industry. For dental websites, this means:

- Including real patients' feedback and before-and-after photos

- Publishing guides and blogs that are written by dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants. 

- Showing video testimonials and in-office procedures. 

Additionally, dental websites written solely by AI and ghostwriters without relevant credentials may experience a decline in visibility. 

Action Tip: Include bios and a summary about your dental team, and ensure licensed dental professionals author your blog. Add real-life stories to connect with your users to build trust. For inspiration, you can explore how doctor websites are building trust through design and content.

2) Content Depth and Authenticity

Google will favor content that provides in-depth solutions to patients' queries, especially when the content is medically sound and relevant to the patients. So avoid thin or repetitive service pages such as “Teeth whitening in this [City],” since general content can be downgraded. 

Action Tip: Optimize each service page with:

- FAQs based on patient queries

- Clearly explained procedures.

- Recovery expectations

- Cost estimations based on your location or insurance partnership.

Also consider using AI tools in dentistry to enhance your content creation without compromising clinical credibility.

3) Location-Specific Relevance

Local search engine signals have become more refined with the recent update. So Google not only mentions a city or zip code, but it also prioritizes results that have a deep community and relevance to local patients. 

Location-specific relevance is most important for U.S. dentists who are competing in major cities such as NYC, Los Angeles, or Chicago.

Action Tip:

- Add local landmarks, nearby attractions, and neighborhood names to your dental content to enhance its relevance and appeal.

- Publishing local blog posts will increase the local SEO.

- Consistently update your Google Business Profile (GBP) and ensure citations are listed across all relevant listings.

If you're operating in urban hubs, check out city-specific dental SEO services in New York or other cities.

4) Technical SEO and Page Experience

Page experience is most important for mobile devices. Sites that have slow loading speeds, poor navigation, broken links, and pop-ups will drastically affect your dental website and search engine rankings.

Action Tip:

- Optimize your dental website for mobile friendliness.

- Improve Core Web Vitals for interaction and contentful next paint.

- Simplify your dental page layouts to make browsing easy for mobile phones while commuting. 

For guidance, refer to these mobile-friendly website design tips.

How to Recover if Your Rankings Dropped?

If your dental website saw a drop in website ranking and traffic after an update, don't panic and wait. Here are the recovery tips for dental SEO:

1) Audit Your Content

The first thing that often triggers a major drop after a Google core update is poor or thin-quality content. If your dental website has outdated, duplicated, or low-value pages, Google may devalue those pages quickly.

So, if your rankings are on the drop, start with a complete content audit using tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Screaming Frog to:

- Identify low-performing or thin content pages.

- Check for duplicate service pages across multiple locations.

- Spot internal linking issues or keyword overlap between similar pages.

Once flagged, don’t just sprinkle in keywords—revise the content to truly serve patient intent. Make it more helpful, clear, and specific. Rewrite your dental website's procedure pages in a conversational, trust-building tone. Add FAQs that reflect real patient intent and questions. Plus, include clear CTAs, treatment explanations, and local relevance. Always remember quality wins, especially when Google is reevaluating what “useful” looks like in your niche.

2) Prioritize Helpful, Informative Content

Content is the kingmaker—but only when it’s written around your patients’ actual needs and concerns. When it’s not, Google’s core update will definitely push those pages down. Thin, outdated, or generic dental content no longer survives.

So, to prepare in advance (or recover if you’ve already seen a drop), focus on building genuinely helpful content. Answer the questions patients are actively searching for, like:

- “Can we opt for Invisalign over the age of 40?”

- “What is the total cost for root canal treatment without insurance in NYC?”

- “What to expect during your first pediatric dental visit?”

These are the kinds of queries patients search for—and the type of content Google values.

Break your information into clear sections, use simple language, and maintain a patient-first tone. Google can track user engagement, so if people stay longer and interact more, your rankings will naturally improve. Make every helpful page not just optimized for search engines. You can follow content writing best practices for dental practices to engage readers and Google alike.

3) Improve Author Credibility

In Google’s eyes, who says it matters just as much as what’s being said—especially in healthcare. If real professionals don’t back your dental content, your trust signals are weak. And in a core update, that can cost you dearly.

To build strong credibility:

- Make sure your blog articles are written or reviewed by licensed dental professionals or caregivers.

- Include clear author bios that detail qualifications, titles, and specialties.

- Include real team visuals or photos to humanize your expertise.

- Link to your state dental board, ADA profile, or relevant professional associations.

Make sure all this shouldn't just be for show. Google’s E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) is a major ranking factor in health-related content. So if you want Google—and patients—to trust your website, show them the real people behind the practice.

4) Build Topical Authority

To stay ahead of future Google core updates, surface-level content alone won’t be enough. Google now favors websites that demonstrate depth and subject-matter authority across each dental topic you cover.

So instead of writing multiple blogs repeating “teeth whitening,” create a focused content cluster that explores the topic in depth. For example:

- At-home vs. in-office whitening: what patients need to know

- Is whitening safe for sensitive teeth?

- Case studies on successful treatments performed at your clinic.

- Cost comparison of professional whitening across different states

Once published, interlink them naturally. This signals to Google that your practice offers comprehensive, trustworthy information. The more topically rich and connected your content is, the more likely you’ll be seen as an authority—now and in future updates. You can also check out this dental content marketing services to build clusters and improve engagement.

5) Engage in Reputation Management

A Google Core Update is a significant change in how Google decides which websites deserve top spots. It’s not just about keywords or quality content anymore—it’s also about trust. Google uses online reviews as signals to help judge which dental practices are reliable and patient-friendly.

That’s why your reputation across platforms like Google, Yelp, Healthgrades, and Zocdoc matters more than ever. Encourage happy patients to leave honest feedback on a regular basis. And make sure you respond—professionally—whether it's good or bad.

This demonstrates to Google that you’re engaged, accountable, and delivering high-quality care. Over time, consistent review activity helps strengthen your online authority, which can help cushion your rankings during future algorithm updates. To keep it consistent, follow these online reputation management tips.

6) Leverage Video and Visuals

Your excellent care and treatment outcomes always speak in favor of your marketing—and even Google’s core updates tend to agree. When your website visually reflects real expertise and patient trust, it builds stronger connections and fosters longer on-page engagement.

Showcase short, engaging videos that answer common patient questions like:

- “What happens during a teeth whitening session?”

- “Before/after results of orthodontic treatment”

- “Meet your dentist” introduction videos to build familiarity and comfort.

These visuals will make your services easier to understand and more relatable. And since Google also pays attention to how users interact with your site. If visitors stay longer, watch videos, and scroll through your pages, it sends a strong signal of value. That kind of engagement can help you stay visible—no matter how the algorithm shifts. Learn how to elevate your strategy with dental video marketing tips that educate and convert.

How to Prepare in Advance for Future Google Core Updates (2025 & Beyond)

Even in this AI-driven era, it’s impossible to predict every possible detail about Google’s core updates. Yet, understanding the patterns and what Google values most helps your dental practice stay ready—and resilient.

1) User Experience Comes First: Google continues to reward websites that load fast, are mobile-friendly, and are easy to navigate. Patients should be able to find what they need in just a few taps—especially on mobile devices.

2) AI Is Here, But Human Expertise Still Wins: Use AI tools smartly, but your real-world dental expertise should always guide the content. Google favors trustworthy, expert-driven information—especially in healthcare.

3) Trust Matters in Healthcare (YMYL Content): Make sure your content is accurate, privacy-conscious, and supported by verified credentials. Bio sections, citations, and secure browsing are now mandatory.

4) Local Relevance Still Dominates: Continue to optimize for your city or neighborhood. Patients search locally, and Google wants to show them practices nearby with strong reputations and consistent info.

5) Context Will Beat Keywords: It’s no longer about repeating or stuffing the same terms. What matters now is how clearly and thoroughly your content answers real patient questions. The more helpful and relevant your content is, the better it performs in AI-driven search results.

Google’s June 2025 core update strengthens a long-standing truth: You’re not only writing for search engines but also for humans. This update serves as a reminder that good SEO is essential for delivering exemplary service and valuable content. 

For dental practices, this update means that you need to redefine your digital strategies to build a trustworthy website and provide informative content, as well as relevant local SEO, to attract potential patients. Whether you are a solo practitioner or offer services in multiple areas, ensure you avail of dental SEO services to stay aligned with Google’s evolving algorithms.