Google News is Making a Big Change
If you're in the digital publishing space, get ready - Google News is rolling out automated publication pages starting in March. This update means that Google will auto-generate publication pages for news sites, replacing manually curated pages.
So, what does this mean for publishers? Let's break it down.
What’s Changing?
Right now, news publishers can manually create and update their Google News publication pages. These pages help users find news from specific publishers in one place. But with the new system, Google News will automatically generate these pages using data from websites, Google's indexing system, and Google News rankings.
Why is Google Doing This?
Google says that the aim is to simplify the process and to present the most accurate and up-to-date information. However, some publishers might perceive this as a loss of control over how their content is presented.
What This Means for Publishers
- Less Customization - Publishers won't be able to manually update or change their publication pages anymore.
- More Dependence on Google’s Algorithm - Since pages will be created automatically, the content displayed will depend on Google's indexing and ranking system.
- No More Manual Management - Publishers no longer have to worry about maintaining their Google News pages, as updates will happen automatically.
What Should Publishers Do?
- Ensure Proper Indexing - As Google is going to depend on its indexing system, publishers should make sure their sites are appropriately indexed and SEO-optimized.
- Highlight Quality Content - Google's algorithm favors high-quality and authoritative content, so publishers should keep writing valuable, well-organized articles.
- Monitor Traffic Changes - With these developments, it's essential to monitor the way Google News sends traffic to your site and make adjustments in your content strategy if necessary.
This shift is easier for publishers, but at the cost of losing a bit of control over how content looks within Google News. The secret to adapting? Keep your site in top shape, produce great content, and stay tuned in to the ways that Google's algorithm shifts.
March is just around the corner - so now is the time to prepare!
Resource: Search Engine Land