Google has recently provided new guidance for content creators aiming to optimize their articles for Google Discover. This update emphasizes a mobile-first approach, clear and factual writing, and user engagement. Publishers are encouraged to focus on creating high-quality, unique content that directly addresses user interests and provides value.
The new guidelines highlight the importance of specific structural and stylistic elements. These include using simple language, avoiding sensationalism, and structuring content for easy readability on mobile devices. The goal is to enhance the user experience on Google Discover, a personalized content feed that delivers articles based on a user's interests and search history.
Key Takeaways
- Focus on mobile-first content design.
- Write clear, factual articles without sensationalism.
- Use short paragraphs and direct language.
- Incorporate engaging elements like quotes and fact boxes.
- Ensure content is 100% unique and maintains accuracy.
Understanding Google Discover
Google Discover is an AI-powered content feed that appears on the Google app and Chrome's new tab page. It aims to show users content they are likely to find interesting, even before they search for it. The system learns from a user's search activity, visited websites, and app usage to personalize the feed.
For publishers, appearing in Google Discover can lead to significant traffic. However, the platform's nature requires content that is both engaging and trustworthy. Google's latest advice underscores these principles, moving away from tactics that might prioritize clicks over genuine user value.
Context on Google Discover
Launched in 2018, Google Discover evolved from Google Feed. It uses machine learning to predict user interests, offering a personalized stream of articles, videos, and other content. Unlike traditional search, Discover is about discovery rather than direct query answers.
The feed's algorithm considers a wide range of signals, including topic freshness, content quality, and how well an article aligns with a user's established interests. This makes creating highly relevant and well-presented content crucial for visibility.
Content Uniqueness and Accuracy
A central tenet of the new guidelines is the demand for 100% unique content. This means articles must be original and not merely rephrased versions of existing material. Publishers are expected to provide fresh perspectives, new information, or a distinct narrative.
Maintaining factual accuracy is equally important. Google emphasizes that content must be reliable and verifiable. Misinformation or exaggerated claims can negatively impact an article's chances of appearing in Discover. This aligns with Google's broader efforts to combat low-quality content across its platforms.
"Our goal is to connect users with high-quality, helpful content that resonates with their interests. Uniqueness and factual accuracy are fundamental to achieving this on Discover," a Google spokesperson stated in a recent briefing.
Writing for Mobile Readability
Given that most Google Discover interactions occur on smartphones, content must be optimized for mobile screens. This involves using short paragraphs, typically two to three sentences long. Long blocks of text can deter mobile users, leading to higher bounce rates.
- Use clear, simple sentence structures.
- Break up content with headings and subheadings.
- Employ bullet points and numbered lists for easy scanning.
- Ensure images are optimized for fast loading on mobile networks.
According to recent data, over 70% of global web traffic originates from mobile devices. This trend highlights why a mobile-first content strategy is no longer optional but essential for publishers.
Avoiding Sensationalism and Complex Language
Google's guidelines explicitly advise against using sensational language, clickbait headlines, or unnecessary adjectives. The focus should be on direct, factual reporting. Headlines should be straightforward and accurately reflect the article's content, avoiding ambiguity or exaggeration.
Impact of Sensationalism
Studies show that while sensational headlines might initially attract clicks, they often lead to lower engagement and trust over time. Google Discover prioritizes content that users find genuinely valuable and trustworthy, rather than merely attention-grabbing.
Similarly, using simple, clear language is crucial. Complex vocabulary or jargon can alienate a broad audience. The aim is to make content accessible to as many readers as possible, regardless of their background knowledge on a specific topic.
Enhancing Engagement with Structured Elements
To keep readers engaged, the guidelines suggest incorporating various structured elements. These include blockquotes for direct quotes, fact boxes for interesting statistics, and context boxes for background information. These elements break up text and provide visual interest.
Numbered and unordered lists (
- and
- ) are also highly recommended. They allow readers to quickly digest information and understand key points. For instance, a list of "Top 5 Destinations" or "3 Key Benefits" can significantly improve scannability.
Emphasizing key phrases with strong tags (bold text) helps guide the reader's eye and highlight important information. Subtle emphasis can be achieved with em tags (italic text) for less critical but noteworthy details. This careful use of formatting improves the overall reading experience.
Optimizing for Google Discover: Practical Steps
Publishers should review their content strategy with these new guidelines in mind. This includes auditing existing articles for compliance and ensuring new content creation adheres to these principles from the outset. Content that is well-researched, clearly written, and properly formatted has a higher chance of being featured in Discover.
It is important to remember that Google Discover's algorithm continuously evolves. Staying updated with official guidance and observing trends in content performance can help publishers maintain visibility. Continuous improvement based on analytics and user feedback is key.
By focusing on user value, mobile optimization, and journalistic integrity, content creators can better align with Google's vision for Discover. This approach not only benefits visibility on the platform but also builds a stronger, more trustworthy relationship with the audience.
