Google's latest update to Discover presents long-awaited modifications
In a significant update, Google has rolled out a new feature in its Discover feed on smartphones, allowing users to customize their content experience more effectively. The introduction of a 'Follow' button enables users to tune their feed outside of their search interests with greater ease.
This update, a response to user feedback, aims to offer a more engaged experience, potentially serving as a testbed for new AI experiences. The Discover feed, a combination of user interests from searches and a social-style feed of articles, is becoming more similar to platforms like Instagram or X feeds, integrating search with social elements.
With the 'Follow' button, users can now follow brands in Top Stories and Google News, in addition to creators from Instagram, X, and YouTube Shorts. This feature allows for a more personalized user experience, as users can access publishers directly to make their Discover experience more relevant. Emerging web standards and regulations may soon influence how users and AI systems access publisher content online, but concrete direct access methods typically involve subscribing to or interacting with publishers’ owned media channels or platforms.
Algorithmic bias can be more easily tuned out, helping users find more engaging content. The update to Discover focuses on enhancing user control and relevance of the content they receive. For creators, the new feature provides an important way to engage directly with an audience, which is critical as people look for more trusted sources as AI content increases.
Integration with other Google services, like Search or News, might follow as Google looks to make this a central social space for users. Social cards, such as Instagram and YouTube Shorts, are rolling out gradually, starting with select users on Android and iOS.
Google continues to see Discover as an important product, as indicated by this update. The ability to find publishers directly increases the relevance of the Discover experience, as users can now easily tune their feed to their specific interests. This update is a step towards making Google Discover a more personalized and engaging platform for both users and creators.
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