Google's February 2026 Discover Core Update

Key points

• 1

  Local Relevance Focus: Google's update now prioritizes content from websites based in the user's country for Discover. This means local news sites, business pages, and community-focused content are more likely to appear in users' feeds. For example, a Chicago-based restaurant chain will show up in Discover feeds for users in Chicago but not for users in New York. Site owners should ensure their local business information is accurate and up-to-date in Google Business Profile to maximize visibility in this new localized context.

• 2

  Reduced Clickbait: The update actively filters out sensational or clickbait content from Discover results, favoring articles with genuine value. Sites that previously relied on exaggerated headlines, urgent language, or misleading thumbnails will see fewer impressions. If your site uses phrases like 'You won't believe what happened!' or 'Last chance to see this!' in Discover content, you should replace them with clear, factual language that matches the actual content. For instance, changing '7 Ways to Make $1000 in a Day' to 'How to Earn $1000 Through Side Hustles' would align better with Google's new standards.

• 3

  Topic-Specific Expertise: Google now evaluates sites based on their expertise in specific topics rather than overall content breadth. A local news site with a dedicated gardening section can rank for gardening queries, while a movie review site with only one gardening article won't. This means site owners should create content pillars around specific topics—like a blog focused solely on sustainable gardening—rather than trying to cover everything. For example, a site with 10 gardening articles and 999 other topics will rank for gardening queries, but a site with 1 gardening article and 998 movie reviews won't. Focus on building deep expertise in one area to improve Discover visibility.

• 4

  Personalization Continues: The update maintains personalized content based on user preferences, including creator and source choices. This means users who follow specific creators or sources will still see tailored results. Site owners should ensure their content is structured to match user preferences—like using clear author bios or categorizing content by topic—so they remain relevant in personalized feeds. For instance, if a user follows a gardening expert, their Discover feed will prioritize that expert's gardening content over general news articles.

What changed