Can You Block Content in Google Discover? SEO Experts Debate the Challenges

In a recent social media exchange, SEO experts and Google’s Search Liaison discussed the complexities and challenges of blocking content from Google News and Google Discover. 

The conversation shed light on the limitations and possible outcomes of current guidelines, raising pressing concerns for publishers and SEO professionals alike.

The Twitter Exchange That Sparked the Debate

The discussion began with a tweet from Lily Ray , who pointed out the need for publishers to have mechanisms to prevent certain inappropriate articles from being considered for Google Discover. 

Hi @searchliaison – 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.

However, this content often performs incredibly well in organic search, so it’s…

— Lily Ray 😏 (@lilyraynyc) July 15, 2024

Barry Schwartz joined the conversation by questioning whether blocking content from Google News would also prevent it from appearing in Discover.

Google’s Search Liaison responded by clarifying that while content can be blocked from Google News, there is no specific feature to block it from Discover. This distinction is crucial for publishers aiming to manage their content’s reach and relevance effectively. 

The conversation revealed a big gap in Google’s system, leading to a broader discussion about the need for more granular control options.

Why This Matters for Publishers

According to Lilly, the inability to selectively block content from Google Discover poses a major challenge for publishers. Content that is deemed inappropriate or not aligned with Discover’s guidelines could still appear, potentially affecting the platform’s credibility and user experience.

For SEO professionals and publishers, this limitation means that managing content visibility becomes more complex, potentially leading to decreased trust in the Discover platform if unsuitable content appears frequently.

Moreover, the discussion highlighted the difficulty in determining whether content is excluded from Discover because it is blocked or simply because it doesn’t meet the platform’s criteria. 

Google’s Content Guidelines: A Trip Down Memory Lane

Google News and Discover are key platforms for sharing content and helping publishers reach large audiences.  However, managing content visibility and adherence to guidelines has always been a nuanced task. Google’s algorithms and policies have evolved over the years to ensure quality and relevance, but grey areas and ambiguities have persisted.

In the past, publishers have faced challenges with content indexing and visibility. This led to many discussions in the SEO community about the best practices and guidelines. The recent exchange on Twitter is a continuation of these ongoing conversations, highlighting the need for clearer and more effective solutions.

The Road Ahead: What to Expect

The current challenges suggest that Google may need to develop specific solutions to address the issue. These tools would help publishers better control where their content appears. Given how important Google News and Discover are for traffic, such tools would be very valuable.

Feedback and discussions around the same might push Google to consider these needs more seriously. As the digital world changes, Google will likely update its policies and tools to better serve publishers and keep its platforms high-quality. This could include new features for more specific content blocking and improved visibility controls.

Tips for Publishers

Dealing with these challenges requires a strategic approach. Here are some practical tips for publishers and SEO professionals:

• Regular Content Audits: Regularly review your content to make sure it follows Google’s guidelines for News and Discover. Remove or change content that might be inappropriate. 
• Stay Updated: Keep up with Google’s policies and guidelines. Follow industry experts and official Google channels to stay informed about changes. 
• Engage with Google: Join discussions and give feedback to Google. Sharing your experiences can help influence future policy changes and tool development. This also keeps you informed about upcoming changes.
• Use Analytics: Monitor how your content performs across different platforms. Use analytics and search console to find patterns or issues with content visibility or guidelines. Data can help you make better decisions about content management.
• Optimize Content: Make sure your content is optimized for SEO and appropriate for News and Discover. Use relevant keywords, high-quality images, and follow content standards. 

Key Takeaways

1. The recent Twitter discussion highlights the complexities and challenges of managing content visibility on Google News and Discover.
2. There is currently no specific mechanism to block content from Discover, posing challenges for publishers and SEO professionals.
3. Regular content audits, staying informed, and engaging with Google are essential strategies for navigating these challenges.