Google Discover is a powerful way to drive massive organic traffic without ranking high in traditional search results. Since it’s AI-driven and personalized, optimizing for Discover requires a different approach than standard SEO.
1. Target Trending & Evergreen Topics
- Trending News: Google Discover favors fresh, timely content (e.g., breaking news, viral trends).
- Evergreen Content: High-value, long-lasting topics (e.g., “How to use Google Discover”) also perform well.
- Seasonal Trends: Align content with holidays, events, or seasonal interests.
2. Use High-Quality, Engaging Visuals
- Large, High-Res Images (1200px+ width) – Discover prioritizes visually appealing content.
- Eye-Catching Thumbnails – Bright, clear, and relevant to the topic.
- Videos & GIFs – Can increase engagement and visibility.
3. Write Compelling, Click-Worthy Headlines
- Be Clear & Intriguing:
✅ “Google Discover Not Working? 5 Fixes to Try Now”
❌ “A Problem with Google Discover” - Use Emotional Triggers: Curiosity, urgency, or benefit-driven language.
4. Optimize for E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trustworthiness)
- Google favors authoritative sources.
- Show credentials (author bios, citations, expert quotes).
- Cite reliable sources if reporting news.
5. Increase Dwell Time & Engagement
- Long-Form Content (1,500+ words) – More depth = better engagement.
- Structured Formatting – Use bullet points, subheadings, and short paragraphs.
- Internal Linking – Keeps users on your site longer.
6. Leverage Google Search Console (GSC) for Discover Reports
- Check Performance > Discover in GSC to see which content is appearing.
- Analyze CTR, impressions, and top-performing pages.
- Optimize underperforming posts based on data.
7. Encourage Social Shares & Backlinks
- Viral content often gets picked up by Discover.
- High-authority backlinks signal credibility.
8. Avoid Clickbait & Misleading Content
- Google penalizes sensationalized headlines that don’t match content.
- Ensure accuracy, transparency, and relevance.
9. Optimize for Mobile & Core Web Vitals
- Fast-loading pages (under 3 seconds).
- Mobile-friendly design (Discover is mostly mobile-driven).
- Good Core Web Vitals scores (LCP, FID, CLS).
10. Publish Consistently & Update Old Content
- Frequent updates signal freshness.
- Repurpose old posts with new data, images, or insights.
Final Tip:
Google Discover is unpredictable, but by focusing on high-quality, engaging, and visually rich content, you increase your chances of appearing in users’ feeds.
