What is Google Discover? 8 Different ways to optimize your Content.
What is Google Discover, and are you optimizing your website for it?
Google’s social media feeds are getting an overhaul and could have an impact on how people browse.
This is what you should be aware of Discover.
The Origins: Google Feed
In its most basic terms, Discover is Google’s take on a social media feed.
When this concept first came out, it was called Google Feed.
Google launched the Feed feature in December of 2016 as an array of cards designed to help users stay updated on the news they were most interested in.Consider it as a type of social media feed however, instead of following users you’re following your interests: music, entertainment, sports, marketing animals, and so on.
The Feed helped fulfill one of Google’s biggest goals which is to allow users to search easily, even if they do not know what they’re looking for.The Feed marked a big departure for Google.In the past, Google along with its SERPS work on a query basis. The user can enter a query, and Google gives the most relevant results.
Google Feed was created to give you the information you need before you search for it. According to Google said that the Feed could make it “easier than ever to discover, explore and stay connected to what matters to you–even when you don’t have a query in mind.”
How Google Feed Became Google Discover
When Google Feed started to prove its worth and value, the company decided to make a bigger investment in the idea. This investment was followed by new branding and a new name. In 2018, Google Feed was reintroduced as Google Discover.The initial idea was Google’s step into the world of similar platforms to social media. In the meantime, Google Discover is helping the company in achieving that goal.
Since the rebranding, Google Discover now has more than 800 million users.
Google Discover's Rebrand Improvements
Google announced its plans to change the name and redesign the service previously known as Google Feed in September as part of its three-tiered transformation in how it approaches to search.
The biggest change Google Discover made was from query-based searching to offering an opportunity to search for data without providing queries.Utilizing Google AI, new content suggestions will appear in your Discover feed based on your previous activity and search history, data from other apps and content such as location settings and history, and newly published information and content.So (no surprise here), when I launch my Google application I get a feed packed with digital marketing along with SEO-related news.
Over time, as you continue to use Discover, Google will continue to observe your behavior and deliver new and relevant information.
Brand New Look
Besides a new name, Google Discover came with a new design. They redesigned the feed to be more visually appealing and more relevant.The most notable addition to the site is that of topic headers, as well as a Discover icon. They’re supposed to provide a reason for the reason you’re looking at a specific card. If you want more content like it, you can click the header to explore more related stories.
When you click on the heading (and the following Discover icon) You’ll also be given the option to follow the interests to receive periodic notifications on the Discover page.An interesting fact Google promises that users will soon see Discover icons in Search which means you can select and follow a particular topic directly into the Search results.
More Targeted Content
Google also added all sorts of new content to its Discover page.
The majority of the content that used to appear on Google Feed was news-related or trending. Since the change and the rebranding to Google Discover, the feed now includes a mix of brand new content personalized to you and evergreen content that may not be new on the web but may be new to you.As an example, Google says “when you’re thinking about your next excursion, Discover might show an article that lists the top places to eat and sights to check out. Now, a piece of travel released three months ago is just right for the next trip. .”
And it gets cooler.Because Google can be described as Google (and enjoys the benefits of your search history and AI in its hands), It can display content based on your level of familiarity with a particular topic.So, if you’ve just started playing guitar and are in the beginner’s category, Google will show you content that will be relevant to your level. There are no advanced songs or riffs.
If you can navigate around an instrument, you’ll only see advanced technology.
Google Discover will surface content according to your level of experience with a topic
Increased User Control with Google Discover
Another reason to be a fan is your level of control over the content you observe.
You’ll notice a control icon on the bottom right of each card. When tapped on the control icon, it will let you choose how you’d like to view more or less of particular content.You can also customize and choose the updates you wish to see by clicking here.
Discover On The Homepage
Until now, Discover was only available through Google’s mobile apps.But in its announcement, Google has also made it clear that Discover will be available on all google.com portable browsers. This will mean it’s simpler than ever before to engage with the feeds they receive.
How to Optimize for Google Discover
Get Verified And Indexed
The first step of the Google Discover SEO strategy is to verify your website and index it by the Google Search Console. It’s also crucial that your site’s content conforms to Google News Standards. Google News Standards and that it doesn’t violate any of Google’s rules.
As with all SEO content, you’ll want to adhere to EAT when creating content for Google Discover. Without the 3 building blocks of EAT -Expertise, Authoritativeness, and trustworthiness, your content will not be included in the search results.
Avoid Clickbait Titles
Beware of clickbait content. Similar to any other Google opportunity, quality content is key here on the Google Discover feed.Clickbait-y titles make the algorithm think your contents are clicked-bait spam as well. Find high-quality and appealing titles that highlight your content in the best method possible.
Produce Timely Content
Google Discover is constantly evolving as is its content also changing.To ensure that you don’t get snubbed ensure that you’re focused on creating high-quality and current content that Google would like to push and drive traffic to.
Optimize For Mobile
Always optimize all of your content to be mobile-friendly!Although you shouldn’t do it at all times, the majority of Google Discover consumers are likely to be using a mobile device. It is important to ensure that your content appears attractive and appealing on mobile as it does on desktop.
Use High-Quality Images
Images will always grab the attention of viewers scrolling through, but low-quality or unflattering images won’t pull them into your site’s content. They’ll leave.All images you upload should be at least 1200px wide and set to a max-image-preview setting of large. Also, you should include images that have something apart from your logo.
Incorporate Structured Data
The more well-organized your data the more organized data, and the more efficient.You don’t have to use multiple pieces of Schema structured data, however, the more information you provide, the better. This assists the algorithm to comprehend what your content is about, and what it is that makes them want to highlight it.
Take Advantage Of Google Web Stories
Similar to Instagram Stories Google Web Stories is a full-screen opportunity to draw even more attention to your content.
However, like Instagram Stories Google Web Stories can be freely distributed. They don’t need to be within the Google Discover platform. You can publish them anywhere you’d like.This tool replaced the AMP Stories version that was AMP Stories in May 2020. Then it was launched on WordPress in October of the same year.
Google Web Stories are great for customers because they’re attractive and entertaining, however, they are excellent for digital marketers because they’re so versatile and can be utilized across a range of sites online.
Know Your Category
Also, you have a greater chance of having your content show up on Google’s Discover feed. Google Discover feed if it fits into a certain category.A research study showed there were 46% of posts that appear within Google Discover our news and 44% were eCommerce sites. Popular categories such as finance, health, education travel, B2B, and automotive only made up one to two percent of the posts.
If you’re in one of those 1-2 categories, don’t shut Google Discover off! The mere 1% of posts still make up over 1 million views per year.Whatever category you belong to Optimizing your blog posts in preparation for Google Discover is an excellent way to increase customers to your website.
Wrapping Up With Google Discover
While Google Feed may have flown slightly under the radar, I believe it’s safe to affirm that it won’t be the case with Discover.Don’t ignore the opportunities that Google Discover offers marketers. With Google investing so much in this rebranding I can only imagine how much traffic will start through the platform.
Need help optimizing your Website Content? Reach out to one of the many reputable SEO firms and start on the right foot with Google Discover!
Google Discover FAQ:
1. IS THERE A GOOGLE DISCOVER APP?
Although not its app, Google Discover appears on the Google app.There is no need to download an additional Google Discover app; rather, if you’ve installed the Google app installed on your smartphone You will be able to connect to Discover. For mobile devices, Discover will be available on mobile devices. Discover feed will also appear on Google’s homepage within your browser.
2. IS THERE A DESKTOP VERSION OF DISCOVER?
No. Discover on Google isn’t accessible for desktops.Google hasn’t released on any information on whether it will bring its Discover feed to desktops.
3. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOOGLE DISCOVER AND GOOGLE NEWS?
Google Discover is not a rapid-track route to joining Google News. The only prerequisite to getting to be on Google Discover is that Google indexes your pages and meets all the Google News requirements.While this may appear like a method to be accepted into Google News, it’s not. Certain articles have been endorsed as part of Google Discover and denied by Google News.
It’s best to look at Google Discover as a step towards becoming more similar to Google News, but the two services aren’t interchangeable.
4. ARE THERE ADS ON GOOGLE DISCOVER?
Yes. Google has begun to monetize Discover in May of 2019 by introducing Discovery Ads.This type of advertisement uses an image carousel which is displayed by Google Discover, YouTube Google Discover, YouTube, and even Gmail (Promotions and Social tabs).