Google is bringing some fresh air to the desktop: The Discover feed, previously only available on smartphones, will now be available on Google's desktop homepage. The company made the announcement at its Search Central Live event in Madrid on 9 April. This could be particularly exciting for publishers, as Google Discover is already one of the most important sources of traffic on mobile devices.
From Smartphone to Big Screen
Google has been working on bringing Discover to the desktop for years - now it's official: The personalized feed will appear just below the search box on the Google homepage, offering articles, news and videos based on users' interests. The content will be synchronized with the mobile feed, provided the user is signed in with the same Google account.
The first users have already spotted a message alerting them to the new Discover feed with the words "A new way to explore your interests". Although the test is currently only visible to selected accounts in the US, the official announcement leaves no doubt that the global rollout is only a matter of time.
Opportunity for more Visibility and Traffic
For publishers, this development is a real ray of hope. Discover has long been one of the strongest sources of traffic on mobile devices, often ahead of traditional search. Now, its extension to desktop opens up a new platform to increase reach and generate additional clicks.
Experts advise publishers to keep an eye on their traffic. In GA4, Discover traffic can be easily monitored by setting up a page referrer filter for Quicksearch visits. Adding a desktop filter will help track the impact of this new feature. However, in Google Search Console, there is still no option to filter by device type within Discover reporting.
Still Many Unanswered Questions
Expectations for the desktop version are high, but there are still many unanswered questions. For example, an exact date for the national launch has yet to be set. It is also unclear whether the desktop feed will be customizable and can be turned off, as it is on mobile devices. One thing is certain: For publishers who rely on Discover traffic, now is the time to prepare. The opportunity for additional visibility is growing - and so is the importance of real-time and content strategies.
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Sources
https://www.seo-suedwest.de/9735-google-discover-kommt-auch-auf-dem-desktop.html
https://www.seroundtable.com/google-discover-desktop-39210.html
https://x.com/ClaraSoteras/status/1909913684362645905/photo/1
