Google recently updated its Discover guidelines in alignment with the rollout of the February 2026 Discover core update. These revisions reflect a deeper shift in how Google evaluates and surfaces content in Discover, the personalized feed built into Google Search and mobile apps. For content strategists, SEO professionals, and financial publishers, these changes are not trivial tweaks — they signal evolving quality expectations, stricter headline standards, and greater emphasis on user value and topical expertise.
This article explains the nature of the Discover guideline revisions, why they matter for visibility and traffic, and practical steps media teams and finance and banking content creators can take to align with the updated system.
What Google Changed in the Discover Guidelines
Google’s “Get on Discover” documentation page was updated with revised guidance for improving the likelihood that content appears in the Discover feed. The revisions do not introduce new ranking factors per se but do clarify and formalise quality expectations tied to the latest Discover algorithm update.
1. More Direct Headline Guidelines
Previously, Google’s recommendations combined headline guidance and general engagement advice into one bullet point. The updated guidelines separate these concerns into two distinct recommendations:
- Use page titles and headlines that clearly capture the essence of the content.
- Avoid clickbait and similar tactics that artificially inflate engagement.
The explicit mention of “clickbait” — a term previously implied but not named — highlights Google’s intent to demote content that relies on curiosity gaps or exaggerated promises to attract attention.
2. Less Tolerance for Sensationalism
Where the older guidelines said to avoid engagement tactics that cater to morbid curiosity or outrage, the updated version explicitly warns against “sensationalism tactics that manipulate appeal.” This change is consistent with Google’s stated goals for the February core update, which include reducing sensational content in Discover and elevating substance.
3. Emphasis on Page Experience
The new recommendation advises publishers to deliver an excellent page experience which connects to Google’s complete page experience assessment framework that includes fast loading and mobile-friendly design and secure operation. The archived Discover guidance documents did not include this specific guidance because performance and usability should be evaluated for both search results and content recommendations.
4. Consistency with Core Update Themes
The existing guidelines for image requirements and performance monitoring and traffic fluctuation explanations will remain unchanged. Google now implements its Discover core update through this specific change which introduces new content requirements that need original content and expert knowledge to be considered valid.
Why These Discover Guideline Changes Matter
Google’s documentation updates provide insight into what systems are now rewarding in the Discover feed. They are not simply editorial suggestions; they reflect algorithmic priorities that align with the broader Discover core update launched in February 2026.
1. Discover Is Becoming More Quality-Focused
Discover has historically been a source of high-volume, sometimes unstable traffic for publishers. With this update, Google is doubling down on quality, relevance, and credibility as key signals. That means publishers that relied on aggressive engagement strategies may see reduced visibility, while those focusing on useful, contextually rich content stand a better chance of long-term placement.
2. Clickbait Risks Are Now Explicit
By naming “clickbait” directly in the guidelines, Google is signalling that headlines engineered purely to generate clicks are a discovery risk. For finance and banking publishers, this is particularly relevant since sensationalised financial headlines (e.g., “You’ll Never Believe These Investment Secrets…”) have historically driven spikes in feed traffic but may now face algorithmic downgrades.
3. Page Experience Is a Feed Signal Too
While page experience has been part of Google Search ranking guidance since 2020, its explicit inclusion in Discover documentation suggests that usability and technical performance are part of the overall quality assessment for Discover recommendations. That’s notable for complex financial content with heavy data visuals, calculators, or interactive charts, which can otherwise slow page performance.
4. Original and Topical Authoritativeness Pays Off
The broader Discover update — which prioritises topic expertise, local relevance, and deep coverage — pairs with the guideline changes to reward content that demonstrates domain depth rather than shallow or opportunistic coverage. This aligns with how Google now evaluates topical authority on a per-topic basis.
Impact on Finance and Banking Content Strategies
For readers and publishers in finance and banking, aligning with the revised Discover guidelines means rethinking how content is designed, written, and published for discovery platforms.
1. Headline Crafting with Integrity
Finance content must balance clarity with engagement:
- Replace generic curiosity gap titles (e.g., “The Crazy Reason Stocks Are Surging”) with clear, informative titles (e.g., “Why Equity Markets Rose 5% This Week: Key Factors and Insights”).
- Ensure the headline accurately reflects the depth and substance of the content.
This both satisfies reader expectations and helps Discover systems identify genuine relevance rather than clickbait.
2. Prioritise In-Depth Analysis Over Surface Coverage
Google’s core update and guideline revision reward original and substantive content. In finance and banking, this could include:
- Long-form analysis of regulatory changes
- Data-backed investment research
- Case studies on market trends
- Expert commentary with transparent author credentials
Focusing on topic expertise rather than quick “news flash” posts can help sustain Discover visibility.
3. Optimise Page Experience Technical Metrics
Since page experience is now explicitly noted, publishers should ensure:
- Fast load times, particularly on mobile
- Responsive design and mobile usability
- Clear content structure and accessibility
- Minimal intrusive interstitials or heavy ads
These factors enhance both user engagement and algorithmic perception of quality.
4. Local Relevance and Audience Alignment
Google’s core update for Discover emphasises locally relevant content, meaning finance content tailored to specific regions (e.g., Indian markets, UK pensions, US tax rules) can perform better than generic global posts. This context can help publishers compete effectively in their primary markets.
Tracking and Monitoring Discover Performance
Visibility changes in Discover can be more volatile than traditional search rankings. Unlike organic search, where intent is query-driven, Discover surfaces content proactively, based on user interests and relevance signals.
Use Search Console’s Discover Report
Google Search Console provides a dedicated Discover performance report, allowing publishers to track:
- Impressions and clicks from the Discover feed
- Top performing content in Discover
- Trends over time, especially post-update
Because Discover traffic frequently fluctuates — especially during core update rollouts — consistent monitoring helps diagnose when guideline misalignment may be a factor.
Analyse Patterns by Topic and Region
Break down Discover performance by:
- Topic clusters (e.g., investment analysis vs general news)
- Regional audience segments
- Page experience signals
This helps identify strengths and gaps in your content strategy relative to the updated criteria.
FAQs About Discover Guidelines and Core Update
What is the Discover guideline revision?
Google updated its “Get on Discover” documentation to separate headline guidance, explicitly call out clickbait and sensationalism, and add a recommendation to focus on overall page experience.
Why did Google change the guidelines now?
The revisions align with the February 2026 Discover core update, which prioritises locally relevant, original, and in-depth content while reducing clickbait-style material in the feed.
Does this affect regular search rankings?
No. These changes are specific to Google Discover — the personalised content feed — not traditional query-based search results, though both sets of signals share themes around quality and expertise.
How should finance publishers respond?
Focus on clear, honest headlines; deep, original analysis; strong author expertise; and excellent page experience to align with the updated Discover signals.
Will traffic fluctuate after the update?
Yes. Traffic variations are expected during rollout. Monitoring Discover performance trends over time is essential to understand long-term impacts.
Conclusion: Quality, Clarity, and Context Are Key
Google has introduced updated Discover guidelines which work together with the February 2026 Discover core update to change their evaluation method for content assessment and content visibility. The requirement for truthful headlines together with the prohibition of clickbait and the need for good page experience and deep subject expertise establishes a pattern which Google systems maintain throughout their entire ecosystem.
Financial and banking content creators must now establish their presence through actual content value while demonstrating actual knowledge and providing user-friendly content instead of using entertainment methods. The implementation of these essential principles will enhance Discover visibility through their reinforcement while building enduring audience confidence and maintaining ongoing viewer interest.
As a trusted web development company in India, we deliver secure, scalable, and high-performing web solutions. If you’re looking for reliable web development services in India, contact us today to start building your digital success.
