GOOGLE DECEMBER UPDATE
- Thread starter cetraaa
- Start date
- Oct 5, 2022
- 2,602
- 228
Google’s December core update affects how content is ranked, not how it’s discovered or indexed. In other words, it changes how Google evaluates pages, but doesn’t impact how Googlebot finds or indexes them.
cetraaa
Newbie
- Feb 28, 2025
- 35
- 10
but i don't know why my domains in gsc didn't get crawled for days, like example last crawl 10 december, and i wait until today and it's still hasn't get any crawl by google bot
Richagency
Junior Member
- Oct 31, 2025
- 104
- 19
The current update will not affect website indexing. The December update only impacts rankings, content quality, and spam prevention.
- Aug 3, 2020
- 2,432
- 342
Core updates are about how pages are scored, not how they’re discovered. Googlebot doesn’t suddenly crawl differently just because a core update rolls out. What can change is crawl priority after the dust settles sites that lose visibility may get fewer crawl resources, while winners often get more attention. So if you’re seeing ranking movement without indexing issues, that’s completely normal.
- Nov 9, 2016
- 4,075
- 1,334
some of my websites have tanked from 7th dec wbu guys
frankyjo
Registered Member
- Oct 3, 2023
- 87
- 32
While Google officially classifies the December 2025 Core Update as a "ranking" update, the short answer is yes, it can and often does affect how Googlebot crawls and indexes your site.
In SEO, these systems aren't isolated; they work in a feedback loop. When Google changes how it "ranks" (values) content, it inevitably changes how it "crawls" (spends resources on) that content.
In SEO, these systems aren't isolated; they work in a feedback loop. When Google changes how it "ranks" (values) content, it inevitably changes how it "crawls" (spends resources on) that content.
How a Ranking Update Impacts Crawling
Even though the update targets ranking algorithms, you may see changes in your Crawl Stats in Search Console for the following reasons:- Crawl Budget Reallocation: Googlebot is a "demanding bouncer." If the update determines that certain sections of your site are "low-quality" or "unhelpful," Google may decide those pages aren't worth the server resources to visit frequently. This results in a drop in crawl frequency.
- Selective Indexing: With the massive influx of AI-generated content in 2025, Google has become much more selective. If your content no longer meets the new "quality threshold" set by the December update, Google may stop indexing new pages or even de-index existing ones that it now deems "thin."
- The "Pre-Update" Spike: Many SEOs noticed a significant spike in Googlebot activity just before and during the December 11 rollout. Google often crawls more aggressively during an update to re-evaluate the "new" value of your pages under the updated rules.
- Technical Performance (Core Web Vitals): The December update raised the bar for technical excellence. If your site has high LCP (Largest Contentful Paint) or poor mobile usability, Googlebot may slow down its crawl rate to avoid taxing a site it perceives as having a poor user experience.
LinkZenith
BANNED
- Dec 30, 2024
- 235
- 94
No,
it only affects rankings not crawling or indexing.
it only affects rankings not crawling or indexing.
- Feb 28, 2019
- 7,413
- 7,847
Google slowed down indexing since several months to reduce spam. The December core update specifically doesn't target crawling and indexing.
ElyDiosa
Junior Member
- Nov 29, 2025
- 114
- 32
Google's December core update focuses more on the quality of search results and less on crawling or indexing; that remains a separate process. Googlebot continues to explore and find pages as always, although if the update affects the ranking of certain pages, it might cause Googlebot to pay more attention to certain types of content, but overall it doesn't change how new content is crawled or indexed.