Your action plan for the Discover core update

The quick answer

Google has released the February 2026 Discover core update. To protect your traffic and align with the changes, follow these four steps:

1. Focus on locally relevant content for your primary audience's country.
2. Audit and remove clickbait content, including sensational headlines and misleading images.
3. Double down on creating helpful, people-first content that demonstrates your specific expertise.
4. Monitor Google Discover traffic in Search Console to understand the impact on your site.

Understand the February 2026 Discover core update

Google is rolling out a new core update specifically for its Discover feed. This isn't about traditional search rankings; it only affects the content recommended to users on the Google app's Discover tab and some Chrome homepages.

The rollout began on February 5, 2026, and will take up to two weeks to complete. The initial phase targets English-language users in the United States, with plans to expand to other countries and languages later.

This update introduces three main adjustments to how Discover curates and presents content.

Change 1: Prioritizing locally relevant content

The biggest shift in the discover core update is its focus on location. Google will now show users more content from websites based in their own country.

For a user in the US, this means their Discover feed will feature more articles from US-based publishers. Publishers outside the US who target an American audience may see a reduction in their Discover traffic from that region.

Change 2: Reducing sensational and clickbait content

The update also aims to reduce the amount of sensational and clickbait content in user feeds. Google has not provided new, specific definitions for what it considers clickbait.

Instead, publishers should follow existing guidelines. This means avoiding headlines that withhold key information, using exaggerated or misleading language, or creating previews that appeal to morbid curiosity or outrage just to get a click.

Change 3: Surfacing in-depth, expert content

Finally, the update will surface more original and timely content from websites that show clear, topic-specific expertise. An article from a dedicated site is more likely to be featured than a one-off post on a general-interest site.

This change rewards publishers who have built authority in a specific niche. It aligns with Google's long-standing push for helpful, reliable, people-first content.

Your 4 step action plan to adapt

You don't need to panic or completely overhaul your strategy. This update rewards good practices. Follow these tactical steps to ensure your site is well-positioned.

Step 1: Audit your content for local relevance

Your first action is to review your content's geographic focus. Since the update prioritizes content from a user's own country, you need to be clear about who you are writing for.

If your audience is primarily in the US, this update works in your favor. Lean into topics, events, and perspectives that resonate with that audience. If your primary audience is in another country, focus your efforts there to build a strong domestic following.

Google has not specified the exact signals it uses to determine a website's country, but focusing your content on a specific locale is a signal you control completely.

Step 2: Purge clickbait from your content strategy

Audit your content to ensure it meets Google's quality guidelines. This is the most direct way to adapt to the reduction of sensationalism. Use this checklist to review your articles:

• Clear Headlines: Does your page title accurately capture the essence of the content without exaggeration?
• No Information Gaps: Does the headline avoid withholding crucial information needed to understand the topic?
• Accurate Previews: Do your snippets and images honestly represent the article's content?
• High-Quality Images: Are you using compelling, large images that are at least 1200px wide? This is a confirmed best practice for Discover.
• Trustworthy Tone: Does your content avoid sensationalism or language designed to provoke outrage?

Fixing these issues not only helps with the discover core update but also builds long-term trust with your audience.

Step 3: Double down on helpful people-first content

Google's advice for this update points back to its core principles: create helpful, reliable, people-first content. This means writing for your audience, not for an algorithm.

Demonstrate your expertise by going in-depth on topics you know well. Instead of writing broadly, focus on a niche where you can provide unique insights or tell a compelling story. This is the core of a successful SEO content strategy that endures through algorithm changes.

Your content should answer questions, solve problems, and provide real value. A site focused on a specific topic is now Bette positioned to perform well in Discover.

Step 4: Monitor your Google Discover performance

You must track your data to see how this update affects you. Do not rely on feelings or anecdotal evidence. Use Google Search Console to get clear numbers.

Follow this simple process:

1. Log in to your Google Search Console account.
2. In the left-hand menu, navigate to "Performance."
3. At the top of the Performance report, click on "Search type: Web" and change it to "Discover."
4. Use the "+ New" filter to add a "Country" filter. Analyze your performance in the US versus other countries.

Watch for significant fluctuations in your Google Discover traffic over the two-week rollout period. Some sites may see increases, some may see decreases, and many will see no change at all.

What to expect during the rollout

Because the update is rolling out over two weeks, you should not expect to see immediate, conclusive changes. Traffic can fluctuate daily. Look for sustained trends, not single-day spikes or dips.

A key detail from the original article from Search Engine Land notes that even if you make substantial improvements to your site today, you may not see the benefits until the *next* core update. Be patient and focus on consistent quality.

Remember, this update is separate from traditional search. Your rankings in Google Search should not be affected by these changes to Discover. Keep your core SEO practices consistent.

Prepare your digital presence for the future

Algorithm updates are a constant in digital marketing. The best defense is a strong foundation. This means consistently producing high-quality, expert content tailored to a specific audience.

These updates consistently reward publishers who prioritize user experience and genuine value. The foundation for delivering that value is a fast, responsive, and well-structured digital platform. Ensure your digital presence is built to perform, as strong page experience metrics remain a baseline for Discover eligibility.

A professional website designed to convert and built to rank is your greatest asset in navigating Google's evolving landscape. The principles of this discover core update—quality, relevance, and expertise—are the same principles behind all winning digital strategies.