Ranking in Google Discover requires a mobile-first design and engaging headlines.
Google prefers fresh, relevant content with strong visuals.
Building authority and E-E-A-T can improve visibility over time.
Google Discover is a personalized mobile content feed that presents articles to users proactively, before search queries. With around 800 million users worldwide, Google Discover offers publishers a significant opportunity to reach a broader audience through the Chrome homepage or Google app.
Ranking on Google Discover doesn't rely on traditional keyword metrics. Instead, it prioritizes factors like content quality, freshness, and relevance in its selection process.
Google Discover is a mobile product. Therefore, the website must be mobile-friendly. It should be straightforward, having a responsive layout, a fast loading time, and easy navigation are primary factors.
Google claims that mobile devices account for 70% of traffic on Discover. Therefore, a slow or cluttered site won't work much in favor. Use PageSpeed Insights to test the loading time and resolve any pending issues related to mobile SEO performance.
Pictures are a big deal. Articles with engaging, visually appealing images tend to receive more clicks. To meet Google's requirements, use high-quality images that are at least 1200 pixels wide.
Opt for authentic and vibrant visuals that grab attention, and steer clear of generic stock photos that can come across as dull. Instead, choose unique and engaging images that will resonate with your audience.
Additionally, provide structured data and ensure the max-image-preview: large meta tag is set. That way, Google can display the image in full size in the feed.
Also Read: How to Optimize and Rank on Google Discover
'Click-worthy' is different from clickbait. Google prizes headlines that are honest, informative, and transparent. For instance, expect better performance from '5 Real Ways to Improve Sleep Tonight!' than from 'You Won't Believe This Sleep Hack!'
The headline and first sentence should provide the reader with a concise overview of what to expect. Avoid making overly dramatic claims or misleading headlines, as this can negatively impact your Google discovery rankings.
Google Discover favors new content and timely postings, but evergreen content (health tips, a guide on finance, or how-to guides) is the backbone and is always relevant. The evergreen topics will have long-term stickiness.
At precisely the same time, you can profit from the brief rise if you can identify the popular topics. Use Google Trends or Twitter's trending section to find current topics.
Google appreciates authoritative sources. Writers with credentials or experience in their niche rank higher. Provide author biographies that highlight their qualifications, especially those that pertain to YMYL (Your Money, Your Life) subjects.
Get your site secured through HTTPS. Make sure you have contact and privacy page(s) to communicate trustworthiness. All these trust indicators contribute to overall credibility, helping build your long-term presence in Google Discover.
Also Read: How to Rank in Google's AI Overviews?
Google prefers content that is clickable and interactive. It values a low bounce rate. Your content should be readable and provide value to the user.
Short paragraphs, bullet points, and informative or relevant subheadings are important. Embed videos, graphs, or quotes when possible. This further cultivates an audience who will engage with your content for longer periods.
Consistency builds authority. Sites that publish content regularly have a better chance of being featured in Discover. There is no fixed number of articles, but publishing 3 to 5 high-quality articles per week might help the site build some traction. Do not mass-publish low-quality posts. Discover prefers depth to volume.
Keyword stuffing is not required in Discover, like in Search. Overdoing it will have the opposite effect on performance. Try sticking to topics rather than exact-match keywords.
Write naturally. Let the content speak for itself. Google's algorithms today are far more sophisticated in interpreting intent and context.
There is no guaranteed way to increase your Google discovery ranking. However, if one needs to increase the odds, focus on consistency and quality, mobile readiness, and an excellent user experience.
It's less about gaming the system and more about genuine reader service. Any site can capitalize on the opportunity to reach millions of mobile screens by earning trust and posting content that genuinely interests readers.