Google has rolled out its February 2026 Discover core update on February 5, introducing significant changes to how articles surface in the platform.
The update prioritizes three key areas:
- locally relevant content from country-based websites,
- reduction of sensational content and clickbait, and
- promotion of in-depth, original, and timely content from sites with demonstrated expertise.
Google’s systems now evaluate expertise on a topic-by-topic basis, meaning both specialized and multi-subject websites have equal opportunity.
Example: A local news site with a dedicated gardening section, can establish expertise in gardening despite covering broader topics.
Currently available for English-language users in the US, the update will expand to all countries and languages in the coming months.
Site owners should expect fluctuations in traffic and consult Google’s core update guidance and the”Get on Discover” help page for optimization strategies.
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