Google is bringing a breath of fresh air to the desktop: The Discover feed, previously only known from smartphones, will in the future also be available on the Google desktop homepage. The company announced this on April 9, 2025, at the Search Central Live Event in Madrid. This new feature could be particularly exciting for publishers, as Google Discover is already one of the most important traffic sources on mobile devices. Snapshot during the Google event by Clara Soteras, image credit: https://x.com/ClaraSoteras/status/1909913684362645905/photo/1
From the Smartphone to the Big Screen
Google has been working for years to bring Discover to the desktop. Now it's official: The personalized feed will be displayed directly below the search bar on the Google homepage in the future and will offer articles, news, and videos based on user interests. The content will be synchronized with the mobile feed, provided the user is logged in with the same Google account. Early users have already discovered a notice that draws their attention to the new Discover feed with the words "A new way to explore your interests". While the test is currently only visible to selected accounts in the US, the official announcement leaves no doubt that the global rollout is only a matter of time.
First Sightings in Great Britain
Update from May 21, 2025
In addition to initial tests in the US, there are also indications of a gradual expansion to Europe: Users from the United Kingdom (UK) report that Google Discover is already visible on the desktop, so far mainly in the Safari browser. The feed can be specifically called up using special URL parameters (like google.com/?gl=tk ). Notably, images on the desktop are currently less dominant than on mobile, but the first sentence of an article is often displayed as a preview. There are many indications that Google is currently testing different versions live.
Opportunity for More Visibility and Traffic
For publishers, this development represents a real ray of hope. Discover has long been one of the strongest traffic sources on mobile devices, often even ahead of classic search. With the expansion to the desktop, a new platform is now opening up to increase reach and generate additional clicks. Experts advise publishers to keep an eye on their traffic. In GA4, Discover traffic can be easily monitored by setting up a page referrer filter for "Quicksearch" visits. By adding a desktop filter, the effects of this new feature can be tracked. In Google Search Console, on the other hand, there is not yet an option to filter by device type within the Discover reporting.
Still Many Open Questions
Expectations for the desktop version are high, but many questions remain open. A precise date for the widespread launch has not yet been set. It also remains unclear whether the feed on the desktop will be individually customizable and deactivatable, as it is on mobile devices. One thing is certain: For publishers who rely on Discover traffic, now is the right time to prepare. The opportunity for additional visibility is growing, and with it the importance of real-time and content strategies. Would you like to leverage the full potential of Google Discover? In our free webinar, we will show you how you can successfully adapt your strategy.
This might also interest you: Everything you need to know about Consent Mode.
Sources
- https://www.seo-suedwest.de/9735-google-discover-kommt-auch-auf-dem-desktop.html
- https://www.seroundtable.com/google-discover-desktop-39210.html
- https://x.com/ClaraSoteras/status/1909913684362645905/photo/1
