Google Discover core Update February 2026 : What It Means for Publishers and Traffic
Google has introduced a new February 2026 Discover core update that mainly affects how articles appear inside Google Discover feeds. This update is part of Google’s ongoing effort to improve the quality and relevance of content users see in Discover.
According to Google, this is a broad system update focused on improving how content is selected and displayed within Discover. The rollout has started with English-language users in the United States and is expected to expand globally across different languages and regions over the coming months. Google also mentioned that the rollout process could take up to two weeks.
Key changes expected from this update
The update is designed to enhance the Discover experience in several important ways:
- Users may start seeing more content that is relevant to their own country and region.
- Clickbait headlines and overly sensational content may appear less frequently.
- Google will give more visibility to original, detailed, and timely content created by websites that demonstrate strong expertise in specific topics.
Because the update initially focuses on local relevance, some websites outside the United States that target U.S. readers might experience temporary drops in Discover traffic. However, this effect may change as the update becomes available globally.
How Google evaluates expertise
Google explained that its systems analyze expertise at a topic level rather than judging an entire website as a whole. For example, a local news website that regularly publishes high-quality gardening articles may be considered authoritative in gardening, even if it covers many other subjects. On the other hand, a movie review website that publishes only one gardening article is unlikely to be seen as an expert source on that topic.
This means any website has the potential to appear in Discover if it consistently produces helpful and relevant content within a specific niche.
Personalization will still matter
Google also confirmed that Discover will continue to personalize content based on users’ interests, preferred creators, and past behavior. During testing, Google found that users considered the updated Discover experience more useful and engaging.
Possible traffic fluctuations
As with most core updates, website owners should be prepared for traffic changes. Some sites may see an increase in Discover visibility, others may notice a decline, and many may not see any significant difference at all.
Since the update is currently rolling out in stages, fluctuations may continue until the rollout is complete worldwide.
Why this update matters
If your website receives traffic from Google Discover, you may notice changes in performance during and after this update. Google recommends following general core update best practices and focusing on creating original, high-quality, and audience-focused content. Their official Discover guidelines can also help publishers understand how to improve visibility in the feed.
FAQ Section (Great for AEO + SEO)
Q1: What is the Google Discover update 2026?
It is a core update that improves how content appears in Discover feeds based on quality, relevance, and expertise.
Q2: Why did my Discover traffic drop?
Traffic may fluctuate after the update as Google adjusts content visibility.
Q3: How to rank in Google Discover in 2026?
Publish original content, avoid clickbait, focus on niche expertise, and post consistently.
Q4. Will this update affect all websites?
Not all websites will be affected. Some may see traffic increases, some decreases, and many may notice no change at all.
Q5. Why is local content becoming more important in Discover?
Google is prioritizing content that is relevant to users’ location to improve personalization and provide more useful recommendations.
Q6. Can small websites rank in Google Discover?
Yes. Any website can appear in Discover if it publishes original, high-quality content and shows strong expertise in a specific topic.
