Google Discover offers a fantastic way to expand your reach by delivering personalized content to users who are likely to be interested in your topics. Rather than depending on search queries, Google Discover curates articles, videos, and other media based on each user’s interests and search habits. If you want to boost your website’s visibility and engagement, it’s time to consider optimizing for Google Discover. This guide will walk you through the steps to make the most of this tool.

What is Google Discover?

First, let’s get familiar with what Google Discover is. Launched in 2018, it’s a mobile-based feature that presents users with a feed of personalized content tailored to their preferences. Google Discover leverages machine learning to predict what might interest each person based on their activities within Google services. The feed might show news, blog posts, videos, and other content, making it a useful platform for engaging people interested in your field.

Unlike traditional Google Search, where people actively type in keywords, Google Discover serves content that’s anticipated to suit each user’s preferences, whether they’re actively searching for it or not. This proactive approach can help you reach a larger, more engaged audience if your content appears in their feeds.

Why Should You Optimize for Google Discover?

Optimizing for Google Discover has some unique benefits:

• Increased visibility: With millions of users on Google Discover, your content can reach people who are likely to be interested.
• Higher engagement: Discover’s personalized content selection means users are more inclined to click on articles or videos that resonate with them.
• More traffic: Since Discover displays content without requiring a search query, it offers an additional stream of organic traffic that can supplement traditional SEO.

Steps to Optimize Your Website for Google Discover

With an understanding of how Google Discover works, let’s look at how you can increase your chances of appearing in users' feeds.

1. Create High-Quality, Relevant Content

For your content to have the best chance of showing up in Discover, focus on quality and relevance. Google Discover tends to prioritize fresh, engaging, and well-crafted content that aligns with user interests. Here’s what to aim for:

• Evergreen topics: Content that stays useful over time is likely to perform well on Discover. Try creating guides or articles that provide long-term value.
• Timely topics: Although evergreen content is valuable, timely posts related to current trends or news can also boost your Discover visibility.
• Use multimedia: Discover includes more than text. Incorporate high-quality images, videos, or infographics to make your content visually appealing and Discover-friendly.

2. Ensure a Mobile-Friendly Experience

Since most Google Discover users are on mobile devices, a mobile-optimized website is essential. Google favors sites that offer a seamless experience on smartphones. Key points to consider:

• Responsive design: Make sure your website adapts well to different screen sizes.
• Fast load times: A slow website can reduce your chances of appearing in Discover. Check your site speed with Google PageSpeed Insights to find and fix any performance issues.
• User-friendly navigation: Make it easy for visitors to explore your site. Simple navigation helps retain users and may positively influence Discover ranking.

3. Use High-Quality Images

Visual appeal is crucial on Discover. Articles with high-quality images are more likely to catch users' attention. Tips for optimizing your images include:

• Use unique images: Avoid generic stock photos; use original images that stand out.
• Correct sizing: Google suggests images be at least 1,200 pixels wide for the best display in Discover.
• Add alt text: Describe your images with alt text. This improves accessibility and helps Google understand the context of your content.

4. Keep Content Fresh

Google Discover prefers up-to-date information, so it’s essential to refresh content regularly. Even for evergreen topics, regular updates can improve your Discover presence. Here’s how:

• Update old posts: Add recent insights, data, or visuals to older articles to keep them relevant.
• Publish frequently: Establish a regular publishing schedule, balancing evergreen and trending content to keep your website active and engaging.

5. Build Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-A-T)

Google values websites that demonstrate expertise, authority, and trust (E-A-T), which can positively impact Discover visibility. Strengthen your E-A-T by:

• Showing expertise: Have knowledgeable contributors, and include bios or credentials in your articles to highlight their expertise.
• Boosting authority: Gain credibility with backlinks from trusted websites and positive reviews or testimonials.
• Building trust: Include a clear privacy policy, contact information, and transparent data practices to assure users of your site’s reliability.

6. Track Performance with Google Search Console

To evaluate your Discover optimization efforts, Google Search Console’s Discover report provides helpful insights:

• Traffic analysis: See the volume of traffic Discover brings to your site.
• Engagement metrics: Track impressions and clicks to understand how often your content is viewed and engaged with.
• Content performance: Identify successful topics or posts, helping you create more of the content that resonates with your audience.

7. Stay On Top of Trends

Content around trending topics often performs well in Discover, so staying aware of what’s relevant to your audience is vital. Use tools like Google Trends to discover popular topics and plan content that aligns with current interests.

Boost Your Reach with Google Discover

Google Discover presents a great opportunity for driving traffic and engaging new audiences. By focusing on high-quality content, a mobile-friendly experience, and staying updated on trends, you can make the most of this tool to reach users who are likely to find your content valuable.

Want to elevate your online presence? B12’s all-in-one website solution can help you optimize for Google Discover and more. Ready to get started? Sign up with B12 today and make your website work harder for your business.