Google adds Search profiles to Discover feed
▼ Summary
– Google is rolling out Search profiles in the U.S. for publishers in Google Discover, featuring a header image, follow button, and showcase of latest content.
– Search profiles provide a central place for publishers to display articles, videos, and social posts, helping audiences find accurate source information.
– Publishers with a sizable following on platforms like YouTube (100,000) or TikTok (300,000) can claim and customize their profile with an avatar, bio, and links.
– Claiming a profile may create or enhance a Knowledge Panel with updated avatar, latest content, and a direct profile link.
– The feature aims to help publishers gain attention on Search and Discover, though its effectiveness is questioned given AI’s growing role in Google Search.
Google is now introducing Search profiles for publishers within Google Discover, rolling out initially across the United States. This feature provides publishers with a dedicated landing page that users can click to explore. The profile includes a large header image, a follow button, and a consolidated showcase of the publisher’s latest articles, videos, and social posts.
The company has been testing Search profiles for several months, making continuous adjustments and recently adding shortnames to the system.
So, what exactly are Search profiles? Google defines them as a central hub where publishers and creators can display their newest content across formats. The goal is to help audiences easily follow sources from the profile, increasing the likelihood of seeing that content in Discover, which appears on the Google app home screen.
Google further explains that Search profiles offer a new way for publishers and creators to shape their presence on Search. They serve as a dedicated, shareable space to highlight content across platforms, helping audiences find accurate and up-to-date information about sources.
To manage a Search profile, Google is initially targeting publishers and creators who have a sizable following on at least one major social or video platform. Eligible users can claim their profile and customize it with an avatar, bio, website links, social media and video platform connections, and other important content.
Claiming a profile may also trigger the creation of a Knowledge Panel for eligible publishers. If a Knowledge Panel already exists, it will be enhanced with the updated avatar, latest content, and a direct profile link. Google provides clear instructions for creating, claiming, and managing a Search profile.
Currently, availability is limited to the U. S. for users and publishers with a sizable following. Access will expand over time. The minimum follower requirements are: TikTok (300,000), YouTube (100,000), Instagram (100,000), and X (100,000).
Why this matters: Google is steadily adding features to help publishers gain more attention from both Search and Discover. This new tool offers a way for publishers to grow their following on Google and other platforms, while highlighting their latest content. The big question remains whether these efforts will be enough as AI increasingly reshapes the search landscape.
(Source: Search Engine Land)
