Google’s new Discover update lets users follow creators and publishers directly

New Delhi: Google announced a major revamp of its Discover page, introducing features that let users follow publishers and creators directly within the feed. 

The update, rolling out gradually over the coming weeks, will weave in a broader array of content types, including short-form videos and social media posts.

At the heart of the changes is a new "Follow" button that appears alongside recommended articles, videos, or posts in the Discover section of the Google Search app. 

Users can now tap on a creator's or publisher's name to preview a curated sample of their work, encompassing everything from in-depth articles and YouTube videos to bite-sized posts from platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. 

This preview space acts as a low-commitment trial run, allowing people to decide whether to subscribe to ongoing recommendations before fully following. Once followed, the system prioritises that source's content in the user's feed, shifting Discover from a purely algorithmic suggestion engine to one that's more tailored to individual preferences.

"With these updates, we aim to make Discover a more helpful jumping-off point for exploring the content you love," Google stated in its official blog post. 

Starting soon, Discover will surface YouTube Shorts alongside traditional news articles, as well as real-time posts from X and Instagram sourced from verified creators and publishers across the web. 

Google plans to add support for even more platforms in the future, though specifics remain under wraps.

For content creators, the changes open fresh avenues for visibility. Independent YouTubers, Instagram influencers, and X posters could see their work amplified to Google's vast audience of over 2 billion monthly active users, driving traffic back to their original profiles. 

Publishers, too, stand to benefit from the dedicated preview spaces, which could foster deeper loyalty among readers. However, the rollout isn't without caveats: Google hasn't detailed the exact criteria for which creator content qualifies for inclusion, leaving some speculation about algorithmic biases toward viral or high-engagement material.

Privacy and misinformation watchdogs are keeping a close eye on the integration. With social media content now feeding into Discover's algorithm, there's a heightened risk of unvetted information spreading. 

Google has pledged to apply its existing content policies rigorously to combat non-consensual imagery, but experts warn that proactive moderation will be key to maintaining trust.

For creators hoping to get featured, best practices include crafting compelling, non-clickbait titles and leveraging structured data to help Google's AI better understand and recommend their work.