Why images are important on Google Discover
GOOGLE Discover is a great way to put your content in front of millions of worldwide users.
TRAFCK’s step-by-step guide reveals exactly what you need to do.
Here, we go into more detail about why images are so important on Google Discover.
Google’s guidelines state that using the correct images WILL boost your chances of your content being surfaced on Discover.
Even if the rest of the content is optimised, it will not meet the requirements if the image is incorrect.
Do:
- Use compelling, high-quality images
- Use clickable images that are likely to generate visits from Discover
- Images must be at least 1200 px wide
- Images must be enabled by the max-image-preview:large setting or AMP
Do not:
- Use a site logo as your image
- Mislead the reader with the image to increase appeal
- Use small insets or text on the images
Below shows an example of images that have been optimised by publishers for Discover.
The images are clear, bright, eye-catching and of the correct size to be featured on the feed.
Will my content automatically feature on Discover if it has a good image?
In simple terms – no.
Having an optimised image is just one requirement put in place by Google.
Google Discover is an automated news feed that you can view on your smartphone.
Every user will have a different feed based on their search activity.
Discover uses SafeSearch – meaning a lot of content will not be surfaced.
Google will not surface content that is:
- Dangerous content
- Deceptive practices
- Harassing content
- Hateful content
- Manipulated media
- Medical content
- Sexually explicit content
- Terrorist content
- Violence & gore
- Vulgar language & profanity
- Ads & sponsored content
- Misleading content
Why is Google Discover important?
TRAFCK believe that Google Discover is the future of search.
Every publisher that produces content should be optimising for this referrer.
Here, our team of experts drove over 1 BILLION clicks on Discover to a single site in 2023.
We know exactly how to optimise your content – and images – to get your content picked up.
After we have got your site to featured on Discover, we provide you with monthly search reports.
This will highlight exactly the type of content that is working – and what isn’t.
Using this information, we form our long-term content plan to ensure the traffic continues to rise.
Following Google’s March 2024 core and spam updates, Discover is more important than ever.
If you’re keen to find out how we can help you, reach out to us on hi@trafck.co.uk.
What is Google Discover?
Google Discover had several names before its huge rebrand in 2018.
It kicked off in 2012 as Google Now before it was later named Google Feed.
Since then, its worldwide popularity has soared.
It is now believed that Discover has over 1 billion active monthly users.
It surfaces content to the user – saving them the effort of searching for it.
How do I access Google Discover?
You can view your personalised Google Discover feed on your smartphone.
It is not available on desktop.
If you have an iPhone, just open the Google app. Your Discover feed will be below the search bar.
If you have an Android, just open the Google app and click the Discover tab.
This should put a list of stories in front of you that you care about.
If not, swipe down at the top to refresh your feed.
If your Discover feed has stopped working, find out how to fix it with TRAFCK’s six top tips.
