Best Practices for Crafting Engaging Content for Google Discover.

Google Discover isn’t just a “search with different ranking factors.” It’s a feed fueled by interests, where users decide in a split second whether to engage with your content. This means your previews, the title, the image, and a brief bit of context are far more important than you’d realize. Google’s own advice emphasizes this: you’re rewarded for clarity and usefulness, not for tricks.

Here are the latest, field-tested practices for content creation for Google Discover, tuned for a higher click-through rate (CTR) without resorting to clickbait.

How Do I Write Compelling Titles For Google Discover?

A Discover title has one job: communicate value fast, aligning with the article’s actual content. Google’s guidelines are clear: “Use page titles that capture the essence of the content, but in a non-clickbait fashion.”

Here’s what’s working right now:

• 1. Prioritize the “why now” over the keyword. Discover tends to favor timely, relevant content that aligns with current interests. If the angle is fresh, make that clear from the start (e.g., “What changed,” “What’s different,” “What to do next”).
• 2. Be specific in your promises, and then deliver. Generic titles, like “Everything you need to know,” tend to blur together in a feed. However, specific titles instill confidence and reduce the bounce rate, which is beneficial in the long run.
• 3. Use a natural tension hook, but don’t leave out the main point. Curiosity is great; missing context is not. Google advises explicitly against preview manipulation: “Avoid tactics to artificially inflate engagement… by withholding crucial information required to understand what the content is about.”
• 4. Tailor the title to the reader’s immediate question. Many people find content on Discover without prior knowledge of the topic. A helpful test is: if someone didn’t search for this, would they still instantly understand the payoff?

A simple title formula that plays well in Discover looks like this:

“Outcome + Audience/Context + Proof of novelty”

Example: “A cleaner way to plan meals: the 10-minute method busy families are using now”

So, if you want stronger content creation for Google Discover, treat the title like a headline on a magazine cover: specific, honest, and impossible to misread.

What Kind Of Visuals Work Best For Discover Feed?

Discover prioritizes visuals. The image is often processed before the text, so your creative choices are just as important as your SEO strategy.

Google’s own recommendation is direct: “Include compelling, high-quality images… especially large images… Large images need to be at least 1200 px wide and enabled by the max-image-preview:large setting… Avoid using a site logo as your image.”

The visuals that consistently drive clicks:

• – Are large, editorial-style hero images, with a minimum width of 1200 pixels. This is the standard for visuals on Google Discover. If your CMS compresses or crops images too much, address that issue first; no headline can salvage a weak preview.

• – Should tell the story at a glance. Think of a person using a product, a clear “before and after” comparison, or a scene that establishes both location and the stakes involved—anything that communicates meaning without needing a caption.

• – Aim for high-contrast subjects and a clean composition. Avoid busy collages and graphics overloaded with text, as these can appear cluttered in a feed. Keep it readable at small sizes.

• – Authentic photography beats generic stock (most of the time). If your image looks like it was pulled from a template library, users will likely scroll past it without a second thought.

Don’t forget to:

• 1. Use standard HTML image elements so Google can process them reliably.
• 2. Provide accurate alt text (helpful for accessibility and context).
• 3. Don’t block large previews—set max-image-preview:large correctly. 

How Should I Structure Content To Increase CTR In Discover?

To boost your click-through rate in Discover, the initial preview is just the beginning. The real test comes after someone clicks. If they bounce, skim the article, or feel misled, your chances of getting more exposure drop. Google’s guidance points toward the kind of content Discover wants to surface: “Provide content that’s timely for current interests, tells a story well, or provides unique insights.”

Here’s a Google Discover content structure that’s performing well across publishers right now:

Capture Attention Right Away

Nail the first screen (especially on mobile devices). The initial screen must deliver on the headline’s promise immediately. This means a brief lead (1-2 sentences), a clear value statement, and a straightforward “what you’ll get” outline (one line).

Write For Scanners

Use compelling subheadings, concise paragraphs, and strategic bullet points. 

Discover readers are deciding in real time whether to engage with your content. Make your case easy to follow:

• 1. Use H2s that answer questions (not vague topics).
• 2. Write paragraphs that rarely exceed 3–4 lines on mobile.
• 3. Add lists where steps or takeaways exist.

Put Proof Near the Top

If you cite data, highlight the most important figure right away, then explain its significance. If you have relevant experience, be direct: “We tested…” or “In our audits…” and back it up with details. This method builds trust, which is important in feeds.

Make Freshness Visible

For newsy or fast-changing topics, display a precise publication date and time in an obvious location. Google News recommends having a clear date/time for articles. Even when you’re not chasing Google News, that transparency helps users (and reduces skepticism).

And there you have it! When teams approach Google Discover content structure with a “preview-first + satisfaction-driven” mindset, click-through rates improve, and traffic becomes more predictable.