Google Discover Eligibility Checker

Google Discover traffic can feel a little unpredictable. Pages that appear there often share certain signals like large images, article schema, visible authors, mobile optimization, and proper preview settings.

This small tool scans a page for some of those signals and gives a rough “Discover readiness” score along with suggestions if something important is missing.

Why pages fail to appear in Google Discover

Images smaller than 1200px
Missing max-image-preview:large directive
No author information
Weak or overly long headlines
No article structured data
Pages not optimized for mobile
No publish date metadata

What is Google Discover?

Google Discover is a personalized content feed that shows articles based on a user's interests instead of search queries. Instead of typing a search, users see recommended stories that match their browsing habits and topics they follow.

Content that performs well in Discover typically includes strong headlines, large high-quality images, clear author information, structured article metadata, and mobile-friendly pages.

Google Discover optimization checklist

Many articles that appear in Discover share a few technical signals. While these are not strict ranking requirements, they are commonly present on pages that perform well.

Use images that are at least 1200px wide
Allow large previews with max-image-preview:large
Write descriptive headlines between 40-110 characters
Include Article or BlogPosting structured data
Add author metadata or visible author information
Include publish date metadata
Use canonical URLs for articles
Make sure the page loads properly on mobile devices

Frequently asked questions about Google Discover

What image size does Google Discover prefer?

Images used in Discover cards are typically at least 1200 pixels wide. Smaller images may still appear in search results, but they are less likely to be used in Discover cards.

What headline length works best for Discover?

Most Discover headlines fall between 40 and 110 characters. This length provides enough context for readers while still displaying well in mobile feeds.

Is structured data required for Google Discover?

Structured data is not strictly required, but many Discover pages include Article or BlogPosting schema. This helps search engines understand key page elements such as the headline, author, and publish date.

Does mobile optimization affect Discover visibility?

Yes. Discover is primarily used on mobile devices, so pages should load quickly and display properly on smaller screens. Missing viewport tags or poor mobile layouts can reduce the likelihood of appearing in Discover feeds.

Does Google guarantee Discover traffic?

No. Discover traffic is algorithmic and interest-based. Even well-optimized pages may not appear, but articles with strong headlines, large images, and clear metadata tend to perform better.