Google says there is no special markup, tag or application for Google Discover. If your page is indexed and meets Google’s content policies, it can be eligible, but it is never guaranteed.
Discover shows readers a personalised feed of pages on their phones before they search. For a blog it can deliver sudden bursts of traffic that search alone does not. It is also unpredictable, so it should be treated as a bonus rather than a plan. This guide sets out what Google officially says about eligibility, the image requirements that often trip bloggers up, the kind of content that tends to fit, and how to see your own Discover data.
What Google Says About Eligibility
According to Google Search Central, Discover surfaces content automatically based on a user’s interests. A page is eligible if it is indexed by Google and meets Discover’s content policies. There is nothing to apply for and no tag to add. Google also notes that appearing is not guaranteed and that traffic from Discover can vary a lot from one period to another.
Content Policies to Respect
Discover avoids content that is deceptive, harmful, sexually explicit, or that uses misleading titles or images to attract clicks. Follow the same quality standards you would use for search: accurate, original, written for people, and with clear authorship and sourcing.
Images: The Most Common Blocker
Large images improve how a card looks in the feed, and Google asks for them explicitly.
| Requirement | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Width | At least 1200 pixels wide |
| Size | High resolution, over 300,000 pixels |
| Preview setting | Enable max-image-preview:large in the robots meta tag, or use AMP |
| Ratio | A 16:9 featured image works well |
| Source | Specify with og:image or schema.org image markup, not a tiny logo |
| Avoid | Logos, text-heavy graphics and low-resolution images |
Check your theme or SEO plugin: many set a small default image or omit the large preview setting. Use a clear, relevant photo or illustration that fits the story rather than a generic stock image with overlaid text.
Content That Tends to Fit Discover
Google describes Discover as a way to find content tied to interests, so it favours pages that are timely, tell a story or offer something distinctive. Older, helpful content can also appear. A few patterns are worth testing.
- Honest titles: make them descriptive and accurate. Do not use clickbait or withhold the key information.
- Original value: first-hand experience, clear explanation, local insight or unique data.
- Strong topical focus: consistent coverage of a subject builds a clear identity for your site.
- Clear authorship: show who wrote the post and why they know the topic.
- Fresh angle on timely topics: festivals, seasonal events and trends that readers are interested in.
None of this is a formula. Discover interest is personal, so two sites with similar content can see very different results.
Track and Respond to Discover Traffic
If your site gets enough Discover traffic, Search Console adds a Discover report under Performance, covering up to 16 months. Look at clicks, impressions and click-through rate, and open the pages list to see which posts appeared. Note the type of content and its image, then repeat what worked.
- Expect spikes and drops: do not rebuild your site around Discover.
- Protect page experience: Discover visitors arrive on phones, so check mobile speed.
- Convert the burst: add a clear newsletter sign-up and internal links so new readers see more of your work.
- Keep policies in view: review Google’s Discover content policies whenever traffic drops suddenly.
