Optimizing Your News Website for Google Discover: Strategies to Enhance Visibility in the US and Canada
If you’re running a news publication and aiming to boost your presence in Google Discover, you’re not alone. Many publishers seek to expand their reach beyond traditional search results, tapping into the dynamic feed that Google Discover offers. However, getting your site featured there can be challenging, especially for newer sites. Let’s explore some effective strategies to improve your chances of appearing in Google Discover, with a focus on audiences in the United States and Canada.
Understanding Google Discover and Its Requirements
Google Discover is a personalized content feed that presents users with topics of interest based on their browsing habits and preferences. Unlike standard search results, Discover emphasizes fresh, engaging, and visually appealing content. While your site may already be indexed and appearing in Google Search and News, visibility in Discover requires specific optimization.
Assess Your Content Strategy for Discover
- Focus on News-Style Content with Broad Appeal
Google Discover tends to favor newsworthy, timely, and trending articles that resonate with a wide audience. While news articles are a staple, content that provides value, context, or unique insights tends to perform better. Consider diversifying your topics and including evergreen news updates alongside trending stories.
- Enhance Visual Content
Visuals are critical in Discover. Incorporate high-quality images, compelling thumbnails, and videos where appropriate. Clear, engaging imagery can significantly increase your opportunity to be included.
Optimize Your Website for Discover
- Improve Mobile Performance
Since Google Discover primarily serves mobile users, your site’s mobile experience is crucial. Your site currently passes Core Web Vitals on desktop but struggles on mobile. Focus on optimizing mobile load times by minimizing unnecessary scripts, optimizing images, and leveraging browser caching. A fast, seamless mobile experience increases the likelihood of being featured.
- Implement Structured Data
Use relevant schema markup to help Google understand your content better. Marking up articles, headlines, images, and videos can enhance your eligibility for Discover and rich features.
- Prioritize Freshness and Relevance
Publish newsworthy content promptly. Regularly updating your site with timely articles signals to Google that your content is current, increasing chances of inclusion in Discover feeds.
- Maintain Consistent Publishing Frequency
Consistency helps build authority and familiarity with Google’s algorithms. A regular publication schedule can improve your chances of being discovered.
Additional Tips for Audience Focus in the US and Canada
- Geotargeting and Localization: Use schema and content strategies that emphasize your focus