Google never stops changing—and that’s a good thing if your marketing strategy evolves with it. For Raleigh businesses that depend on search visibility, Google’s latest updates are reshaping how results appear, how rankings are calculated, and how quality is defined. From structured data adjustments to stronger spam filters and a focus on the top 10 results, the search landscape is being refined again—and businesses that adapt will lead the way.
At Unita Marketing, we focus on clarity, usefulness, and technical excellence as the cornerstones of effective search engine optimization in Raleigh, NC. Our approach consistently delivers high-quality content, robust website performance, and a seamless user experience—principles that perfectly align with Google’s ongoing updates.
Why Only the Top 10 Results Matter Most
Google’s recent updates have reshaped how search results appear. Instead of showing 100 blue links, Google now shows the top 10 results on page one, selecting those it considers most relevant, authoritative, and user-friendly.
That means older ranking tactics or broad keyword targeting no longer cut it. Today, quality, speed, structure, and trust determine visibility.
The June 2025 Core Update reinforced this, cracking down on spammy, low-quality content. Only well-structured, high-quality websites with authentic content will continue to thrive.
What’s Changing: Key Takeaways for Raleigh Businesses
- From “Top 100” to “Top 10”: Search engine optimization tools once tracked 100 results, but Google now emphasizes the first page—where nearly all clicks occur. If your business isn’t in the top 10, it’s practically invisible.
- Stronger spam filters: Google now identifies keyword stuffing, AI-generated filler, and other manipulative tactics. The winners are websites built for real users, not algorithms.
- Structured data matters: Schema markup helps Google understand your website content—whether a business, service, or product—and display it in rich formats like featured snippets or map packs. Google has phased out older schema types (Course Info, Claim Review, Vehicle Listing) to focus on trusted data like LocalBusiness, Product, Service, Review, and FAQ schema. These are essential for local search engine optimization in Raleigh and enhanced visibility.
- User experience counts: Fast-loading, mobile-friendly pages with strong Core Web Vitals are critical. Google rewards sites that deliver seamless, intuitive experiences.
Key Changes Raleigh Businesses Need to Know
These Google updates aim to reward clarity, accuracy, and user trust. That’s why our clients’ websites continue to perform strongly—even as algorithms evolve. With the right foundation in place, your business doesn’t just survive Google’s changes; it uses them to gain momentum.
Success now depends on:
- Accurate, supported structured data
- Strong mobile performance and usability
- Consistent, verified local listings
- High-quality content that answers real user questions
Tips for Raleigh Businesses
Here’s how Raleigh business owners can stay ahead right now:
- Update or remove deprecated structured data types
- Add or refine LocalBusiness and Service schema to match Google’s supported types
- Ensure pages load quickly and are mobile-friendly
- Optimize content for snippets—answer key questions clearly at the top of the page
- Maintain consistent local listings (name, address, phone, hours) across directories
Following these steps improves your chances of ranking in featured snippets, map packs, and rich results—prime real estate in Google’s evolving SERP.
Google Is Evolving—But So Are We
Google’s focus keeps shifting—but that’s good news if you have the right partner. Our structured data strategies, content architecture, and Raleigh search engine optimization strategy is rooted in clarity, structure, and user experience, creating a solid foundation that sets your business up for long-term search success.
If you’re a Raleigh business looking to stay visible in the ever-changing search landscape, don’t wait—contact us today for a free consultation. Let us show you how to strengthen your visibility, capture more leads, and thrive no matter how Google evolves.