On February 5, 2026, Google announced a broad core update focused specifically on Google Discover. This is not a small tweak. It is a systems-level update that changes how content is surfaced inside Discover.
If you rely on Discover traffic, this matters.
Let’s break down what actually changed, what it means, and how to adapt.
Google described this as a broad update to the systems that surface articles in Discover. The goal is to improve user experience and make Discover more useful.
Here are the key shifts:
Discover will show users more content from websites based in their own country.
This suggests geographic trust and regional signals now play a bigger role.
Google is explicitly targeting sensational content and clickbait.
If your strategy depended on exaggerated headlines or emotional triggers, expect volatility.
Google says it will surface more in-depth and original content from sites with demonstrated expertise in a given area.
This is important. It means Discover is getting better at understanding topical authority, not just individual article quality.
Google clarified something subtle but powerful.
Their systems identify expertise on a topic-by-topic basis. That means:
For example:
This is a strong signal that Discover is aligning more closely with topical authority models we already see in Search.
Google openly acknowledged that traffic may increase, decrease, or remain unchanged.
Initially, this update is rolling out to English users in the US. It will expand to other languages and countries in the coming months.
So if you're outside the US, consider this a preview.
Here’s the honest reality:
If your Discover strategy was built on trend hijacking, emotional headlines, or thin commentary, this update will likely hurt.
If your strategy is built on expertise, clarity, and consistency, this update may help you.
Discover is moving closer to:
This is not about gaming Discover anymore. It’s about earning placement.
Let’s move from theory to action.
Open your last 50 Discover-performing articles and ask:
If the answer makes you uncomfortable, that’s your signal.
Google is clearly evaluating expertise by topic.
What this means is:
Stop publishing random high-volume topics just because they trend.
Instead:
Discover is not rewarding chaos. It’s rewarding structured authority.
Since local relevance is now emphasized:
If you’re targeting US traffic, your signals must reflect that.
This update specifically calls out sensational content.
That means:
Instead:
Discover users scroll fast. If you betray trust once, you’re done.
Discover historically rewarded freshness and timeliness.
Now it’s combining timeliness with depth and expertise.
So instead of publishing five shallow posts:
Publish one well-structured, insightful article with:
Quality density beats content quantity.
Discover how traffic behaves differently.
Monitor:
If only one cluster lost traffic, the issue may be topical authority, not site-wide quality.
Discover is personalized based on user preferences.
That means brand recall matters.
Focus on:
The more recognizable your brand becomes, the safer you are in Discover ecosystems.
Here’s the bigger picture.
Google Discover is shifting from reactive content surfacing to predictive authority surfacing.
It’s no longer about publishing something that trends.
It’s about being the expected source when something trends in your niche.
That’s a huge difference.
The February 2026 Discover Core Update is not a penalty update. It’s a refinement update.
Google is trying to:
If your strategy aligns with real authority and user trust, you may gain.
If your strategy relied on manipulation, it’s time to rebuild.
The safest long-term Discover strategy is simple:
Be known for something.
Go deep on it.
Stay consistent.
And earn trust topic by topic.
That’s how you survive this update.
Reference: https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2026/02/discover-core-update?hl=en
