Google adds option to follow publishers in Discover feed
This could be part of Google’s attempt to open publishers to more direct visibility
Google is updating its Discover feed with a new feature that lets users follow publishers directly within the app. Once a user clicks "follow," Discover will highlight more content from that publisher or creator.
How the follow feature works
When browsing Discover, users can tap on a publisher or creator’s name to view a dedicated space showing their latest content. This space includes articles, YouTube videos, and posts from social platforms. From there, users can preview the content before deciding whether to follow.
The option works in a similar way to the preferred source setting in Google Search. Google stated that the feature requires users to be signed in to their Google account. Once followed, Discover will prioritize showing content from those publishers more frequently in the feed.
More social posts in Discover
Google is also expanding Discover’s mix of content. The company said users will soon see more posts from social media platforms, including X, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts. Additional platforms may be added over time.
The inclusion of posts from these platforms shows how Google is aiming to personalize Discover to reflect how people already consume mixed media content. The update focuses on giving users more control over news and social content in Discover.
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