Google is trying something new that could bring its Discover feed, which displays suggestions like news, weather, sports scores, and stock prices, to people who use Google on their desktop computers.
This feature places these recommendations right on the Google homepage, next to the familiar search bar. Google has said that they are currently testing this feature on desktops, but it’s only happening in India for now. This information was initially noticed by MSPowerUser.
The Discover feed on the desktop now resembles the mobile version. It’s filled with content like news, entertainment, sports, and finance, all chosen by a clever algorithm. You can scroll through these posts horizontally, almost like a carousel.
This is a big deal because it’s a major shift from the classic, simple Google homepage, which hasn’t really changed in more than two decades.
Why Add Discover To Desktop?
Google might be trying out Discover on desktop to make sure people spend more time on google.com.
Instead of immediately searching from the browser’s address bar, Discover could encourage users to return to Google’s homepage and explore interesting stories that are recommended to them.
For content creators, Discover offers a fresh opportunity to have their content featured without having to pay for ads. However, it also means there will be more competition for a limited number of spots on the busy Google homepage.
Wider Rollout?
If Discover continues to perform well in trials, Google may make it available worldwide on both desktop and mobile devices. This change could significantly increase the number of people visiting news and content websites.
It’s unclear whether this test will extend to other countries beyond India. In the past, Google has tried adding personalized content modules to desktop searches, such as news, weather, and stock updates.
For the time being, most users will still see the traditional Google homepage. However, the inclusion of the Discover feed suggests that Google is keen on keeping its homepage up-to-date in a time when search bars are everywhere.
More About Google Discover
In 2018, Google introduced Discover on mobile devices in the US and later expanded it worldwide. This feature now shows up on the Google homepage for mobile users in over 100 countries. Google is considering bringing it to desktops, which would make it accessible to even more people.
On mobile, Discover fills the entire Google homepage, but on desktop, it’s being tested as a compact section beneath the main Google search bar. This way, Google maintains its simple homepage design while adding personalized content.
When you click on a story in Discover, it takes you directly to the publisher’s website, not a Google page. This is more publisher-friendly compared to something like Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE).
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