Google has recently provided updated guidance for content creators aiming to optimize their articles for Google Discover. These guidelines emphasize the importance of high-quality, engaging content that offers a positive user experience. The recommendations focus on clear writing, factual accuracy, and a mobile-first approach to content presentation.
The goal of Google Discover is to present users with personalized content they will find interesting and relevant. To achieve this, Google's system relies on various signals, including content quality, user interests, and article freshness. Publishers and content creators are encouraged to align their strategies with these core principles to increase visibility on the platform.
Key Takeaways
- Content must be high-quality and original.
- Visuals are critical for engagement.
- Factual accuracy and clear authorship are essential.
- Mobile-first design is a priority.
- Avoid sensationalism and misleading titles.
Understanding Google Discover's Purpose
Google Discover serves as a personalized feed for users, showing them articles, videos, and other content based on their past activity, search history, and expressed interests. It aims to anticipate what users want to see before they even search for it. This proactive content delivery mechanism makes it a valuable channel for publishers to reach a broad audience.
Unlike traditional search, Discover does not rely on keywords entered by the user. Instead, it uses an algorithm to identify and recommend content. This means that content creators need to think beyond traditional SEO and focus on creating compelling narratives and rich media experiences.
Background Information
Google Discover was first launched in 2018 as a rebrand of Google Feed. Its evolution has focused on providing a more intuitive and personalized content experience. It is available on the Google app and as a swipeable panel on many Android devices, making it a highly accessible platform for news and entertainment consumption.
Content Quality and Originality
Google's new guidelines stress that content must be original and of high quality. This means articles should offer unique insights, thorough research, and a clear purpose. Content should not simply rehash information found elsewhere. Publishers are advised to provide value that stands out.
According to Google, "content should be well-written, free of grammatical errors, and easy to understand." This emphasizes the need for professional journalistic standards. Articles should also be factually accurate and present information clearly, avoiding ambiguity or speculation.
"Our systems prioritize content that demonstrates expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness (E-A-T)," Google stated in its updated documentation. "High-quality content is fundamental to a good user experience."
The Importance of Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-A-T)
The E-A-T principle is central to Google's ranking systems, and it applies strongly to Discover. Content should be created by authors with demonstrable expertise in their field. For news organizations, this means clearly attributing articles to journalists with relevant experience and a track record of reliable reporting.
Publishers should ensure that author bios are visible and provide credentials. This helps establish the credibility of the content. For example, a medical article should ideally be written or reviewed by a healthcare professional.
Visuals and Engagement
Visual elements play a crucial role in Google Discover. High-quality, compelling images are essential for capturing user attention. Google specifically recommends using large images that are at least 1200 pixels wide and enabled by the max-image-preview:large setting.
Image Requirements
- Minimum width: 1200 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 16:9
- High resolution and clear
- Relevant to the article content
Using engaging images can significantly increase the click-through rate from Discover. Videos and other rich media formats are also encouraged to enhance the user experience. Content that is visually appealing tends to perform better on the platform.
Avoiding Misleading Visuals
While engaging visuals are important, Google warns against using images that are sensational or misleading. The image should accurately represent the content of the article. Using clickbait images can lead to decreased visibility on Discover and potentially penalization.
Mobile-First Design and User Experience
Google Discover is primarily accessed on mobile devices. Therefore, a mobile-first design approach is paramount. Websites must be responsive and load quickly on smartphones. Slow loading times or poor mobile formatting can negatively impact an article's performance on Discover.
Content should be easy to read on small screens, with appropriate font sizes and line spacing. Short paragraphs, bullet points, and clear headings improve scannability, making the content more accessible for mobile users. These elements help users quickly grasp the main points of an article.
Users appreciate a smooth browsing experience. Intrusive ads, excessive pop-ups, or complicated navigation can deter readers and reduce engagement. A clean, uncluttered interface is highly recommended.
Avoiding Sensationalism and Misleading Tactics
Google explicitly advises against using sensational language, clickbait titles, or misleading information. Content that attempts to deceive users or exploit their emotions will be demoted or removed from Discover. This includes titles and images that promise more than the article delivers.
Titles should be factual, concise, and accurately reflect the article's content. The goal is to inform, not to shock or manipulate. Publishers should prioritize transparency and honesty in their presentation.
Directness and Clarity in Headlines
Headlines are the first point of contact for users. They must be direct and clear. For example, instead of a vague or overly dramatic title, a straightforward headline like "New Study Links Diet to Heart Health" is preferred. This approach builds trust with the reader and aligns with Google's quality standards.
Regular Content Updates and Freshness
While Google Discover shows evergreen content, it also prioritizes fresh and timely information. Regularly updating content with new data, perspectives, or developments can signal to Google that the article remains relevant. For news websites, this means consistent publishing of current events.
However, simply changing a date on an old article is not sufficient. Updates should be substantial and add genuine value. Google's algorithms are designed to detect such superficial changes.
Maintaining a consistent publishing schedule can also help establish a website as a reliable source of information, which can positively influence its visibility on Discover over time. The platform rewards sites that consistently deliver high-quality, relevant content to their audience.
Technical Considerations for Discover Optimization
Beyond content quality, certain technical aspects also influence Discover visibility. Ensuring that Google can easily crawl and index your content is fundamental. This involves having a robust site architecture and submitting sitemaps.
Using structured data markup can help Google understand the content better, although it is not a direct ranking factor for Discover. However, it can aid in presenting content more effectively in other Google products. Secure HTTPS connections are also a basic requirement for all modern websites.
Monitoring Core Web Vitals, which measure aspects of user experience like loading performance and interactivity, is also important. Websites that perform well on these metrics generally offer a better experience, which Google favors.
Conclusion
Optimizing for Google Discover requires a holistic approach that combines high-quality, original content with strong visual elements, mobile-first design, and ethical content practices. By adhering to Google's guidelines, publishers can increase their chances of reaching a wider audience through this powerful personalized content platform. The focus remains on providing genuine value and a superior user experience.