Google Discover is one of the best ways to drive organic traffic to your website. With millions of users scrolling through personalized content, appearing on Google Discover can boost your visibility. But to make it happen, you need to follow a few essential practices. Here’s a guide to help you get the most out of Google Discover SEO.
1. Use HD, Eye-Catching Images
To attract clicks from Google Discover, you must use high-quality images with a minimum width of 1200px. These images should be engaging, relevant to the content, and visually appealing. Avoid logos as images; focus on visuals that represent your article’s content.
2. Set Max Image Preview to “Large”
In the image settings of your website, ensure you set max-image-preview: large. This ensures that your images are displayed clearly and attractively in Google Discover feeds, helping to improve click-through rates.
3. Accurate Meta Title and Description
Your meta title and description should align with the content of your page. Avoid exaggerating or misleading information, as this could hurt your rankings. The title and description must be creative but accurate, giving users a clear idea of what they will find in the article.
4. Keep Content Updated and Relevant
Google Discover loves fresh, updated content. Focus on providing timely information about your niche or unique education. Keep your content engaging, insightful, and aligned with current trends or news. This will make your website more appealing to users.
5. Enable and Configure RSS Feed
Enable the RSS feed for your website so that Google can easily crawl your content. Additionally, ensure that your robots.txt file does not block the feed. This ensures proper indexing and better visibility on Google Discover.
6. No RSS Restrictions in robots.txt
Do not block RSS feed crawlers in your robots.txt file. Make sure it’s accessible so that Google Discover can fetch your content properly and display it to relevant users.
7. Ensure Clear RSS/ATOM Feed
Your website should feature a clear RSS/ATOM feed. This helps Google stay updated with the latest posts, ensuring that your content is consistently included in Discover feeds. Your RSS feed must contain titles and links for proper crawling.
8. Follow Google Policies
Google has specific content guidelines. Always adhere to them. Disclose sponsored content, affiliate links, and any other promotional material clearly. Violating these policies can result in penalties and decreased visibility on Google Discover.
9. Disclose Political Allegiance
If your website has any political affiliation, make sure to disclose it transparently. This builds trust with users and ensures that your site complies with Google’s guidelines on political content.
10. Provide Author, Publisher, and Content Details
It’s essential to include clear information about the authors, the publisher, and the content itself. This transparency helps improve the credibility of your site and boosts trust among both users and Google.
11. Clear Contact Information
A clear contact form or details should be visible on your site. Google values websites that are easy to contact and engage with. It also adds an element of trust and professionalism to your content.
12. Avoid Over-Exaggeration
Your content, titles, and descriptions must be sensible. While it’s important to be creative, exaggeration can harm your credibility. Always ensure that the information you present is accurate and realistic.
13. Publish Knowledgeable, Interesting Content
Google Discover favors content that offers knowledge and value. Keep your content interesting and educational. The more insightful and unique your content is, the higher the chances it will be shared and recommended by Discover.
14. Make Content Easy to Read
Ensure your content is human-readable. Use simple language and structure, which makes it easier for visitors to understand. Well-structured content is likely to get more engagement and shares, boosting your chances of appearing in Discover.
15. Maintain Transparency and Compliance
Be transparent with your audience. Always disclose any sponsored or affiliate content and avoid manipulative practices like clickbait. Your website must maintain a clear and honest approach, which will improve its reputation in Google’s eyes.
By following these 15 points, you can ensure that your website is optimized for Google Discover SEO. This will increase your chances of getting your content featured and driving organic traffic to your site. Focus on creating high-quality, relevant content that adheres to Google’s policies, and you’ll start seeing improvements in your Discover performance, making it a key aspect of your strategy for Search Engine Central.