How to Get Your Content Featured Google Discover in 2024?

How to Get Your Content Featured Google Discover in 2024?

In this world of content marketing, it becomes imperative to be on trend all the time, be it with current topics, trending content, or the new updates required to be followed by content marketers to keep their publications relevant.

With the increase in the relevancy of content marketing online, it becomes essential for search engines to provide their users with the most relevant content. This demand and supply bring new tools and ways to fulfil users’ requirements and for publishers to achieve them. Google Discover is one such tool by Google that provides relevant online content for each user automatically customised to their need.

This blog shall deal with all you need to know about Google Discover in 2024.

What is Google Discover?

How fun would it be if someone already knew what we wanted before even asking for it? A rarely fulfilled dream in reality but not in the virtual world anymore! Google brings you the Google Discover feed.

Google Discover is a part of Google search that prioritises content based on a person’s interests and activities. It customises the content for users based on their preferences such as updates for favourite topics such as artists, sports, news sites, web series, etc. Although, A recent study discovered that almost 46% of Google Discover URLs are news feeds. Google uses your online activities to show you more related content based on what interests you. You may also choose the types of updates you want either in the Google app or while browsing the web via mobile devices. We shall learn about how to change the settings for Google Discover in this blog later. 

Google Discover feed resembles social media feeds such as Instagram, Facebook, etc. It provides a scroll feature similar to these apps which makes it easier for users to scroll and click on interesting content which directly lands them on the host website. The inclusion of the scroll features makes it easy to discover the relevant content. Keep scrolling until you find what you like and Google shall note the activity and provide you with related relevant content again. Life has become easier. Isn’t it?

Google Discover is not only a tool for the mobile users but also the creators. Its emphasis is on “People-first” content. With “content for humans” being the priority, content quality, technical enhancement, and user relevance are the keys for publishers to land their content to Discover feed. 

An important source of organic traffic for publishers and relevant content for users, Discover will become an essential part of Digital Marketing in 2024.

Google Discover

How Does Google Discover Work?

Indexed by Google: For content to appear on the Discover feed is easy as long as it is relevant. We are aware that every content published online should be indexed by Google to appear in search. If your website content is indexed, it is automatically eligible to appear in Google Discover. 

Follow content policies by Google: It is also important that the content follows the content policies provided by Google for Discover. If the content follows the above conditions it becomes eligible to be on Google Discover. 

No Specific Format: There is no specific structure provided for content to appear on the Discover feed. You may get as creative as possible with your content as long as it is helpful, reliable, and emphasises people-first. This increases the chances of being on the Discover.

NOTE: Make sure your site does not violate Discover content policies. To check the violations check the Discover manual in your Google Search Console.

Discover Content Policies

With Google Search’s overall policies, Google Search’s spam policies, or policies for Search features, also make sure that the content follows best practices for Discover. Additionally, the content mustn’t be dangerous, deceptive, harassing, hateful, or include any elements of digital offenses.

Additionally, make sure that:

  1. Ads and sponsored content are properly disclosed and it doesn’t exceed the actual content.
  2. Content should not be Misleading. It should provide a clear picture of what your content is about without promising details underlying your content.
  3. Transparency and trust should be the motto of your content.

If Google detects behaviour or content that violates its policies, it may remove your content from the Discover feed. In case of serious violations, a website can become ineligible as well. So adhere to the policies while creating your content and keep checking for any alerts on your Google Console to correct any violations existing on your website.

NOTE: Google makes exceptions to the policies for certain content relating to topics such as art, science, education, history, etc. which is for the benefit of the public in general.

Read More: What are featured snippets & how to optimize for them?

How to Increase the Likelihood of Your Content Appearing in the Discover Feed?

The key to Discover feed is via content as in traditional search engine optimization. The written content has always been important, but for Discover Feed images and videos play an important role as well. Read below to know more!

IMPORTANCE OF IMAGE QUALITY

Images and videos have always been an important accessory to the content. To optimise your content for Google Discover, Include high-quality images/ videos in the content which shall assist your content in generating visits from Google Discover. 

Use at least a 1200 px wide image. Also, enable max-image-preview:large setting. This is compatible with the scroll feature on Discover. As an image is the most visible part of the feed, it has to be high quality with details put creatively.

While deciding on which image or video to choose for your content, keep in mind whether it compels human interest or not. 

Note: SITE LOGO should only be used in the header or as a small size on graphics. Do not use logos as preview images.

IMPORTANCE OF CONTENT:

Creating high-quality and unique content is important. Your content must relate to current interests, unique insights as well as relevant information. Ignore using manipulative appeal tactics or misleading, exaggerated, and sensational details to increase appeal to your content. Include only such information in the preview content as is crucial to understand what the content includes and is related to. 

The meta title must be exciting and relevant. Start by using page titles that summarise the content on it. Make sure to avoid non-clickbait title styles. Use structured data to help Google understand the content better. Follow all the Google content policies and try to create as unique and informative content as you can.

As Discover seeks to promote Human interest based content, make sure the content is suitable for the user and is clear and easily understandable. While adhering to SafeSearch, your content likely finds it difficult to show on Discover Feed if it is shocking, outrageous, or doesn’t follow public morals.

What are Google Web Stories?

Similar to the stories feature of Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, etc, Google web stories are a full-screen content format for the web. Google web series allows the “ Tap or swipe” feature through stories. The stories can be found while going through the Google search or Discover feed.

The interaction on web stories helps users navigate between pages, pause, or swipe through different pages.

Google Web Stories

As Google Discover is all about optimising content for mobile users, the web stories feature becomes essential in streaming relevant content for the users. Try it now! Just go to the Visual Stories banner on your mobile and enjoy Google Web Stories.

Must Follow Smart Tips to Optimise for Google Discover:

  1. Get verified and Indexed

  2. Avoid Clickbait Titles

  3. Consistent Content

  4. Optimise for Mobile Devices

  5. Use High-quality Images and graphics

  6. Create Structured Data for the site

  7. Use Google Web Stories

Why should you optimise for Google Discover?

Optimising your content for Google Discover is a great idea to increase organic growth on your site. The following are the 3 main reasons:

  1. It increases the visibility and allows the content to reach a larger target audience. 
  2. It is the fastest way to drive traffic and easily reach new potential customers.
  3. The Follow feature of Google Discover allows return visits by users genuinely interested in your product or niche.

What is the Follow Feature for Your Website?

The Follow Feature on your website shall allow the users to get regular updates from your website without being on the website. This is assisted by the Discover feed.

The Follow feature uses RSS or Atom feeds of a website, so they must be enabled. Google automatically generates RSS or Atom feeds for domains but if your website doesn’t have it, it can be requested on the specific feed you wish to have the follow feature. This is generally required for websites with more than 1 feed.

Note: Currently, the Follow Button is limited to a few countries such as the USA, UK, and Australia for Android users and in the USA for iOS users.

Follow these guidelines for Google to find your RSS or ATOM feed:

  • Make sure to update your feed like you update the sitemap files. Include feed title and per-item title elements in your content.
  • Use a brief title with only essential information for the RSS feed.
  • Make sure your feed is not blocked with robots.txt file

How to monitor your performance on Discover?

Once your content is on the Discover feed, the performance can be tracked using the Performance report for Discover. Once your content has reached a minimum threshold of impressions, the report shall show clicks, impressions, CTR, etc. for the content that has appeared on the Discover in the past 16 months. The report includes all the traffic from Chrome as well as fully tracks the traffic over Discover across all platforms including impressions from the Follow tab.

performance on Discover

Just go to the Google search console and click on Discover in the left-hand navigation rail to track and monitor your Google Discover traffic.

How Do you Change Discover Settings on Android?

To change Discover settings on your Android device, go to google.com on your browser. Go to settings at the top right and click Discover. You can change, hide, or unhide topics and sources according to your preference.

If you use iOS, browse Google from your iPhone or iPad. Go to the Discover card and tap more to change your Discover settings for your iOS device. 

NOTE: Some features may not be available in all countries.

The Must-have Content for Discover Visibility

Due to its unique feed-type view, it becomes essential to know which kind of content may or may not make it to the Discover feed. You should focus specifically on the following 4 types of content:

  1. News and Publications: The current news and updates as well as timely publications relating to what is happening in the world right now increase the chances of your content being visible on Discover.
  2. The How-to guides: Educational and informational content becomes very important for Discover. People interested in learning new skills or looking for tutorials on a specific subject can land on your content and increase the traffic to your page.
  3. Blog and Lifestyle: Content and Blog posts focusing on lifestyle, travel, fashion, sports, music, news events, fitness, etc are the most lucrative online content. Focus on these niches.
  4. E-Commerce: To increase the visibility of your brand and product it becomes imperative to write informational product details and content explaining how your product is better and what all issues it shall solve.  

Go To Action Plan for High-quality Content

Content is vital for digital marketing. To have a specific content strategy, planned- consistent publication is important to rank your content. While creating any content either for Discover or your webpage, make sure it is informative, easy to read, and includes relevant keywords and catchy headlines. Your content should be SEO-optimised, engaging, and informative to your audiences.

Here are the 5 steps to follow while creating the content:

  1. Identify your target audience: Based on your niche or your brand pick your audience and create specific content targeting them. Content for everyone has less probability of ranking or appearing on the Discover feed.
  2. Decide your goals: As content creators, the main aim is to bring audiences and monetise the work. How can you increase traffic is essential while creating content. Plan a strategy and work towards achieving the goals you have set for your website.
  3. High-Quality Content: It is a universal truth that quality is always better than quantity. Have a consistent posting plan and create high value content.
  4. Generate ideas with the help of keyword research: To understand what the audience needs and what type of content ranks for specific topics, keyword research is the most efficient way. To set your content-posting schedule, do thorough research and plan your content for at least 3 months in advance. Ex: How to Guides, best ways to get, etc. 
  5. Stay up-to-date: While creating content, do not fear to get on the trend of the time. Create content complimenting the new trends in digital marketing and optimise your content for each platform specifically instead of creating general content for all platforms.

Google News vs. Google Discover: What Is the Difference?

Google has multiple ways to make it easier for users to find content online. Google News and Google Discover are both such ways. 

Google launched Google News in 2002. It is the largest news aggregator featuring news from different news platforms. It is specific to News which provides for headlines, weather, fact check, top news stories, etc.

Google Discover is a different product launched in 2018 by Google. It is an Artificial Intelligence(AI) based tool that is developed to provide user specific relevant content without even searching for it.

Google Discover allows the follow feature for the websites and even old content can surface on the feed if it is relevant for the user. On the other hand, the Google News tool is more about the timeline and what is happening in the world or your local area at a specific moment. It prioritises news that is current and content related to it which is posted in real time.

While Discover is customisable Google News doesn’t provide for any customisation.

Conclusion

With all the features and tools that Google provides, the ultimate aim is to provide quality content. The better the content, the better the experience for the reader/user. Google Discover is also a tool in the People-first approach of Google. 

Thus, while creating any content the aim should be to provide a seamless experience to the audiences. Combine creative content with SEO strategies on your website to easily be detected by Google and increase your chances of landing on the Discover feed. 

Keep your website updated by following up all the algorithm update from Google search central blog. Note what type of content works for you and provide authentic information via user content. 

FAQs

Q. How to use Google Discover?

For most phones, Google Discover is automatically installed. Just open your Google app and start scrolling the content to find what Google Discover has in store for you.

Q. How to make your older content eligible for Discover feed?

If your existing content is indexed by Google and follow’s Discover content policies it may also appear automatically. Make sure your older content is helpful and relevant to people’s interests.

Q. Is Google Discover free?

Google Discover is free for all users. For the majority of devices, Google Discover is automatically installed. If it is not on your device, just go to the Play Store or App Store and install it for free.

Q. Why can’t I use Google Discover?

The Google Discover feature can be disabled. If it is not enabled you might not be able to use it. Go to Google app settings and flip the Discover toggle.

Q. Where can I find my Discover history?

Simply go to my Activity in your Google account settings and find or adjust all your history/past activities on Discover Feed. To help Discover provide you with a seamless experience with relevant information, keep updating or adjusting your activities.

Q. How is Google Discover different from Google Search?

While Google Search is a search tool that allows you to find content based on the query you put in, Google Discover is not a way to search. It just discovers content for the user based on their interactions and activities on the Discover app. Based on the activities it automatically provides you with the relevant content.