Google Discover is a section of Google Search which shows users your content if it is related to their interests, which are based on their web and app activity. This allows them to get updates on their favorite sports teams or news articles they may be interested in without the need to search for them. If your content displays in Google Discover it can be another method to attract new users to your website and drive engagement more easily as they have been identified as interested in the topics you write about.
How Can I Ensure My Content Is Eligible to Display in Google Discover?
Any content on your website which is indexed by Google can be displayed to users in Google Discover as long as it follows Discover’s content policies. To improve your chances of appearing in Google Discover, it is crucial to steer clear of content falling under categories such as dangerous, deceptive, harassing, hateful, manipulated media, medical misinformation, sexually explicit, terrorist-related, violent, and vulgar language or profanity. Google Discover prioritizes delivering a positive and safe user experience, so avoiding these content types is essential to align with its content guidelines and maintain a reputable online presence.
Follow Best Practices to Appear in Discover More Frequently
Integrated into Google Search, Discover focuses on similar signals and systems to evaluate content, prioritizing what is considered helpful and people-first. The content you create for your website should follow these best practices in order to increase your chances of appearing in Discover, and assistance from an experienced SEO content writer can help you in this process. Here are some tips to follow:
- Craft descriptive page titles without resorting to clickbait.
- Embed compelling, high-quality images, especially those exceeding 1200 px in width, using max-image-preview:large or AMP; refrain from using a site logo as the main image.
- Steer clear of deceptive tactics to artificially boost engagement, such as misleading details or withholding crucial information.
- Avoid manipulative tactics catering to morbid curiosity, titillation, or outrage.
- Offer timely, well-told, or uniquely insightful content that aligns with current interests.
Make note that Discover will not recommend job applications, petitions, forms, code repositories, or satirical content without any context in most cases. Discover also makes use of SafeSearch and can filter out content that might be seen as shocking or unexpected.
Specify a Feed to Make Use of the Follow Feature
Google has specified that no special tags or structured data are necessary in order to appear in Google Discover, however you can optimize your website to encourage users to Follow your content via the use of a RSS or Atom feed. The inclusion of a snippet in the <head> section of your code such as the example below will help tell Google which feed you want users to follow:
<link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="https://example.com/rssfeed">
You can also specify multiple feeds from across your website if you have different categories you focus on:
<html>
<head>
<link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="https://example.com/feed/" />
<link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="https://example.com/localseo/feed/" />
<link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="https://example.com/technicalseo/feed/" />
</head>
<body>
<h1>What's next for SEO in 2024</h1>
</body>
</html>Leveraging Google Discover can be a valuable supplement to your overall digital marketing strategy, however it’s essential to acknowledge its unpredictability over time. Unlike the more predictable nature of keyword-driven search traffic and organic rankings, Discover relies on its changing algorithm, leading to fluctuations in traffic. Optimizing for Discover involves crafting people-first, trustworthy content with attention to details such as page titles, images, and engagement tactics. Recognizing the supplementary nature of Discover traffic allows you to embrace its unique benefits while maintaining a strategic focus on keyword-driven search results for more consistent and dependable traffic. Balancing these approaches ensures a comprehensive and effective strategy for maximizing your online visibility and helping to drive engagement across different Google surfaces.
