The March core update ran from March 13 to 27 and introduced new shifts in how Google ranks content - especially with the rise of AI-generated overviews and greater emphasis on freshness and community signals. For affiliates, it’s a clear signal to adapt strategy and content structure. Here’s what stood out.
Top Takeaways for Affiliates:
- AI Overviews Are Changing What It Means to Rank First
The most visible shift in this update is the rise of Google’s AI-generated “overview” block, now frequently occupying the top spot. These summaries pull from review articles, forums, and structured content - often skipping over traditional organic listings. Affiliates should begin exploring how to optimize for visibility within these summaries, through clear subheadings, FAQ-style answers, and up-to-date, intent-matching content.
- Community Threads Are Ranking Competitively on Page One
User-generated content, particularly forum posts, now regularly appears in the top three results for VPN-related queries. These pages win not just because they’re authentic, but because they meet real search intent: recent, situational, and specific.
- Winning Attention in a Visually Stacked SERP
With AI Overviews, People Also Ask boxes, and community posts now filling the top of many results pages, today’s SERP offers more visual layers than ever before. This shift gives affiliates a new creative edge: listings that use sharp headlines, strong opening copy, and clear formatting are more likely to stand out - even below the fold.
- Recency Signals Are Ranking Signals
Several entries that rose in this update were updated in early 2025 or were published in Q1. Google’s systems increasingly reward freshness, even on evergreen topics. Simply put: recency boosts trust. Even minor content refreshes, new screenshots or updated intros can signal relevance to Google - and help your content rise.
- Third-Party Publishing Still Has Teeth
Despite Google’s ongoing spam crackdowns, content hosted on high-authority platforms - like Medium, forums, and niche publications - continues to hold first-page positions. Affiliates using these channels strategically can expand their reach - especially with content that’s value-rich and conversion-ready.
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