Key Takeaways:
- Google confirms that content cannot be blocked specifically from Google Discover.
- Blocking content is possible for Google News but not for Discover.
- Lily Ray raised concerns about this issue on Twitter.
- Google’s Search Liaison and John Mueller verified the lack of this feature.
- Potential value recognized, but no immediate plans for change.
Google Says There’s No Way to Block Content Only From Discover Feed
Introduction
In recent updates, Google has confirmed a significant limitation for publishers: there is no option to block specific content from appearing in Google Discover. This revelation has highlighted a gap in the control mechanisms available to content creators and publishers. Unlike Google News, where content blocking tools are available, Discover lacks this functionality.
The Issue at Hand
The issue came to light when SEO expert Lily Ray took to Twitter (now X) to address a common challenge faced by publishers. Ray pointed out that certain content performs exceptionally well in organic search results but may not be suitable for Google News or Discover. She emphasized the need for a mechanism to prevent such content from being crawled or indexed specifically for these platforms.
“We have experienced many situations with publisher clients where it would be helpful to prevent some content from being crawled/indexed specifically for Google News & Discover,” Ray tweeted. “However, this content often performs incredibly well in organic search, so it’s not a good idea to noindex it across the board.”
Ray’s concerns revolve around content that falls in the gray area of Google’s News and Discover guidelines. This content, although driving significant SEO traffic, could potentially harm the performance of Discover over time.
Google’s Response
In response to Ray’s query, Google’s Search Liaison pointed to the existing methods for blocking content from Google News. However, upon further investigation with John Mueller from Google’s Search Relations team, it was confirmed that these methods do not extend to Google Discover.
The Search Liaison stated, “John [Mueller] and I pinged and we’re pretty sure there’s not an option to just block content from Discover.” Acknowledging the potential value of such a feature, he added, “That would seem useful, so we’ll pass it on.”
Implications for Publishers
This admission from Google underscores a critical gap in the tools available to publishers for managing how their content is crawled by Google. While there are mechanisms to manage content for Google News and organic search results, the absence of similar controls for Discover poses a challenge.
Google’s Search Liaison suggested that there might be potential for more granular controls in the future, but there are no immediate plans to introduce content blocking features for Discover. This leaves publishers in a bind, particularly those whose content falls within the ambiguous areas of Google’s guidelines but still garners high traffic.
Current Workarounds
Despite the absence of a dedicated tool for blocking content from Discover, there are some workarounds that publishers can consider. One option is to use the “noindex” tag to prevent specific pages from being indexed by Google altogether. However, as Ray pointed out, this is not an ideal solution since it would prevent the content from appearing in organic search results as well.
Another approach is to create separate versions of the content tailored specifically for Google News and Discover, adhering strictly to the guidelines for each platform. This strategy, while labor-intensive, can help ensure that content remains compliant and performs optimally across different Google services.
Looking Ahead
As publishers continue to navigate the complexities of Google’s ecosystem, the need for more refined control mechanisms becomes increasingly apparent. The ability to selectively block content from Google Discover without affecting its performance in organic search would be a valuable addition to Google’s suite of tools for publishers.
In the meantime, publishers must remain vigilant and adaptable, employing available workarounds to manage their content effectively. The discussion initiated by Lily Ray and acknowledged by Google’s Search Liaison and John Mueller could pave the way for future improvements in how Google handles content for Discover.
Conclusion
The confirmation from Google that there is currently no way to block content specifically from Google Discover highlights a significant gap in the tools available to publishers. While methods exist for managing content for Google News and organic search, the lack of similar controls for Discover presents challenges. As the digital landscape evolves, it remains to be seen whether Google will introduce more granular control features for Discover in response to the needs of publishers.
For now, publishers must rely on existing workarounds and remain proactive in managing their content to ensure optimal performance across Google’s platforms. This issue underscores the ongoing dialogue between content creators and search engines, highlighting the need for continuous adaptation and innovation in the SEO landscape.
Related Services
For further assistance with managing your SEO strategy and ensuring your content performs optimally across all Google platforms, consider exploring the following services:
These resources can provide valuable insights and support for enhancing your content strategy and navigating the complexities of Google’s ecosystem.
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