Tag: Google Discover

Discover Google’s New Search Profiles for Publishers
Hey there, have you heard about Google’s latest feature within Google Discover? They’ve just launched Search profiles in the U.S., and it’s a game-changer for publishers like me. These profiles act as enhanced landing pages where my audience can not only follow me but also see a collection of my latest articles, videos, and social media posts all in one convenient spot.

Google has been working on this for quite some time, refining and testing it over several months. They’ve even made some tweaks, such as adding shortnames, which make it even easier to share these profiles.

What are Search Profiles? According to Google’s description:

“Search profiles give publishers and creators a central place to showcase their latest articles, videos, and social posts. People can easily follow sources from their profile, so they’re more likely to see that content on Discover, found on the home screen of the Google app.”

It’s described as a “new way for publishers and creators to shape their presence on Search. Search profiles are a dedicated, shareable space to highlight content across platforms and help audiences find accurate, up-to-date information about sources on Search.”

What it looks like: Curious to see it in action? Here’s a video demonstration:

Managing Your Search Profile: If you’re a publisher or creator with a significant following on a major social or video platform, you’re in luck! You’ll be able to claim your Search profile, personalize it with an avatar, bio, and links to your website and social media platforms.

Once you claim your profile, it might even create a Knowledge Panel for you, or enhance your existing one with updated details and a direct link to your profile.

If you’re interested in setting up your own Search profile, check out this guide for creating a profile, claiming an existing one, and managing it.

Availability: Currently, this feature is available in the U.S. for users and publishers who meet a certain follower threshold. Here’s what you need:
- TikTok: 300,000 followers
- YouTube: 100,000 subscribers
- Instagram: 100,000 followers
- X: 100,000 followers
Why This Matters: As a publisher, I’m always looking for ways to get more visibility. Google’s new feature allows us to increase our reach not just on Google platforms but across our entire digital presence. It’s an exciting time, though one has to ponder whether this will be enough in the fast-paced world where AI continues to evolve.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.
June 4, 2026
Unlocking the Power of Google Discover Publisher Profiles

I find it fascinating how Google Discover has evolved with the introduction of publisher profiles and follow features. These profiles have started making waves, yet they remain a bit enigmatic due to limited documentation.

More publishers, creators, and social-first accounts are now visible through these profiles. Let me take you through how these profiles work, how they connect with social accounts and the Knowledge Graph, and why some publishers already enjoy enhanced customization features.

As a technical SEO enthusiast, I’m quite accustomed to Google glossing over details in their documentation. And with Discover publisher profiles, that mystery deepens.

Google barely mentions these profiles in their official Discover documentation, though they seem to play an increasingly significant role in the visibility of publishers and creators.

It’s intriguing to see how Discover profiles let users manage the publishers they follow while gathering content from various websites and social platforms.

Because Google has been reticent about the inner workings of these profiles, I’ve taken upon myself to study their patterns across different accounts. Here’s what I’ve noticed about:

Google rolled out substantial updates to Discover in September 2025, vastly altering how we engage with content through publisher follows and profile pages.

The update granted publishers dedicated landing pages for content aggregation, offering users a streamlined way to interact with preferred publishers and seamlessly integrating social content into Discover.

The most eye-catching aspect of this update is how it empowers users to have greater control over publisher visibility while enabling brands to reach their audience more effectively.

Publishers can’t typically alter the layout of these pages, but some recently gained access to customize their profiles, an option part of a limited beta test.

Common to most publisher profiles are features like a profile photo, usually sourced from the Knowledge Graph or a YouTube profile, which also counts total social followers, and integrates various social media handles.

The social connections catered to include platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn. The ‘About’ section is succinct, often derived from a Wikipedia entry or something similar.

Some editable profiles offer additional features like customized banners, pinned posts, and external links that could direct users to apps or livestreams, further enhancing content reach.

There are two main types of Discover publisher profiles: ones for entities with websites and others solely focused on social media publishers.

Web-focused publishers’ profiles tend to be more comprehensive, often including the About section, logos, social accounts, and website links—although social links might sometimes need a manual push to be included.

On the other hand, profiles for social media publishers focus on prominent journalists, notable figures, and those solely identifiable through social media.

These profiles are generally less complete unless they are tied to a Knowledge Graph, missing elements like profile pictures or descriptions, frequently needing aid from connected YouTube accounts for better appearance.

Looking forward, I anticipate Google may broaden access to these editable profiles, though I suspect customization will remain selective, likely reserved for well-established publishers and creators.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

May 20, 2026
Boost Your News Visibility in Google’s Social-First Era

We’re stepping into an era where the visibility of web content is spreading across a multitude of search and social platforms. Google has always been a force to reckon with, but it’s no longer the only player in the search experience. Video-based social media platforms like TikTok and community sites such as Reddit are carving out spaces as go-to search engines for their dedicated audiences.

This evolving landscape is reshaping how we consume news content. Google’s news SERP is adapting to the era of personalized query responses afforded by LLMs and the influence of social media platforms. To keep up, Google has introduced AI-powered SERP features like AI Overviews and AI Mode. These features prioritize content that is “helpful, reliable, and people-first,” drawing heavily from social media platforms.

As search and social media intertwine more closely than ever before, we need to embrace a new strategy. This involves creating newsroom teams comprising social media experts, SEO specialists, and AI enthusiasts working together towards a unified content visibility goal.

When I optimize news content for social platforms, I also consider the potential performance of these posts on the Google SERP. I’ll delve into optimizing specific SERP features, but first, let’s explore making news content friendly for social platforms.

First, let me offer some sanity tips. It’s tempting to optimize content for every social media platform, but I find it more effective to focus on one or two where my audience is active and my growth opportunities are highest. By reviewing analytics and conducting audience surveys, I can identify the platforms where my audience consumes news content.

Optimize News Content for Social Media Platforms

I begin by considering how my content might appear on different platforms. Here’s my breakdown of which content types work best on each platform and how they might appear on Google:

YouTube

Creating YouTube video content involves following video SEO best practices. With guidance from this comprehensive YouTube SEO guide, I create a successful video strategy by ensuring my video titles align with the content.

Google prioritizes YouTube’s search ranking through relevance, engagement, and quality. I make sure my metadata accurately reflects my video content to ensure it stands out as relevant in a search.

One trend I’ve noted is that older event content on YouTube continues to rank well on Google, even after related articles have faded. Similarly, explainer videos show longevity on the SERP.

Facebook

Facebook, though perhaps not as trendy as it once was, still reaches a diverse audience. This platform excels with community-based content and entertainment news that incites conversation.

Even though Facebook’s dedicated news tab was removed, its posts are becoming more visible on Google’s SERP, which might make it worth reconsidering from a search perspective.

X

Since Elon Musk’s takeover, X’s audience has shifted more to the political right, while its role as a hub for breaking news, live updates, and political content remains strong. Sports content also performs well here, especially in the U.S.

Instagram

For Instagram, focusing on visually-driven stories, such as celebrity fashion and health topics, is key. The platform also performs well for sports highlights, often appearing in Google’s dedicated publisher carousel or “What people are saying.”

Reddit

Reddit’s unique user base requires a specific strategy to engage niche communities outside other platforms. Whether the content is about tech trends, health, or sports, it’s crucial to understand Reddit’s audience and adhere to its guidelines.

TikTok

The predominantly young, diverse user base on TikTok gravitates towards visual, conversational, and opinion-based content. Short-form videos that are authentic and engaging perform best.

Pinterest

Pinterest might be old-school, but it’s growing with Gen Z, making it ideal for lifestyle content. When I create on Pinterest, I focus on fashion, DIY, and motivational content, using high-quality visuals and a more relaxed posting schedule.

Social Content Opportunities by Google SERP Feature

Understanding how social content appears in different SERP features helps me maximize visibility. For instance, Top Stories capture breaking news while the “What people are saying” feature emphasizes emotionally engaging user-driven content.

Threat or Opportunity?

Instead of viewing social media content on Google’s SERPs as competition, we can leverage it as an opportunity to increase visibility. Our focus should be on integrating social-forward strategies to expand brand engagement and not solely relying on traditional SEO tactics.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

February 13, 2026