Google has rolled out a new update called the February 2026 Discover Core Update. This update mainly affects Google Discover, not normal Google search results.
Many website owners get a lot of traffic from Discover. So when Google changes Discover, some sites see a sudden increase in visits, while others see a drop.
In this blog, you will understand:
- What the February 2026 Discover Core Update is
- What changed in Google Discover
- Who will be affected the most
- What publishers and SEO teams should do now
- Simple and practical tips to recover or grow Discover traffic
What is Google Discover?
Google Discover is a content feed inside:
- Google App
- Chrome mobile homepage
- Some Android devices
It shows content based on:
- Your interests
- Your recent searches
- Topics you follow
- Your location
Unlike Google search, Discover does not need the user to type a query. Google automatically shows articles that it thinks you may like.
That is why Discover traffic can be very high, but also very unstable.
What is the February 2026 Discover Core Update?
The February 2026 Discover Core Update is a broad algorithm update that changes how articles appear in the Discover feed.
This update:
- Started in early February 2026
- First rolled out to English-language users in the United States
- Is expected to expand globally in the coming weeks and months
Important point:
This update mainly impacts Discover feed rankings, not main Google search rankings.
So if your website traffic dropped, check if it is Discover traffic, not search traffic.
What Changed in Google Discover After This Update?
Google Discover has improved how it selects content. The main goal is to show more useful, real, and relevant content.
Here are the biggest changes.
1) Discover is Now More Local
One major change is local relevance.
Now Discover is giving more priority to content from websites that are based in the same country as the user.
For example:
- If a user is in the United States
- Discover may show more content from U.S. websites
- And less content from non-U.S. websites, even if the topic is similar
This means publishers outside the U.S. who were targeting U.S. Discover traffic may see a drop.
2) Discover is Reducing Clickbait Content
Google Discover is now working harder to reduce:
- Clickbait headlines
- Sensational titles
- Fake “breaking news” type content
- Articles that feel low-value
If your content is written only to get clicks, Discover may reduce your visibility.
Example of risky headlines:
- “You won’t believe what happened…”
- “Shocking update…”
- “This will change everything…”
Discover is now focusing more on honest and clear titles.
3) Discover is Boosting Deep and Original Content
This update also gives more preference to content that is:
- In-depth
- Original
- Fresh
- Written by people with topic knowledge
Google wants to show content that gives real value, not content written just for SEO.
So websites with real expertise and strong coverage are being pushed higher in Discover.
What This Means for Publishers and Website Owners
After this update, many publishers will notice changes in their Discover traffic.
Here is what you should expect.
1) Discover Traffic Fluctuations are Normal
After a core update, Discover traffic can change quickly.
Some websites will:
- Gain traffic
- Lose traffic
- Stay almost the same
Discover works differently than search, so changes can be more sudden.
2) Non-U.S. Sites Targeting U.S. Users May Lose Visibility
If your website is outside the U.S. but you were getting a lot of U.S. Discover traffic, you may see a temporary dip.
This can happen because Discover is now prioritizing local sources.
This does not mean your site is bad. It just means Discover is adjusting local relevance.
3) Google is Pushing Long-Term Quality Signals Again
This update is another strong reminder that Google is still focused on:
- Local relevance
- E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trust)
- Content depth
- Real usefulness
Thin, copied, or purely SEO-driven articles will struggle.
Practical SEO Tips After the February 2026 Discover Update
Now let’s talk about what you should do.
These are practical steps that actually help.
1) Build Strong Topical Authority (Not Random Content)
Google Discover now prefers websites that cover topics deeply.
This means you should stop writing one-time articles just to catch traffic.
Instead, build content clusters.
Example:
If your niche is Real Estate Analytics, don’t write only:
- “Top 10 real estate tools”
Also create supporting blogs like:
- How real estate analytics works
- Real estate data sources
- Common real estate reporting mistakes
- How to create real estate dashboards
- Case studies and examples
This makes your website look like an expert.
2) Focus on Local Intent (If You Serve a Country-Specific Audience)
If your main audience is India, then make sure your content looks and feels relevant to Indian users.
Add local signals like:
- City names
- State names
- Indian laws or regulations
- Indian market examples
- Local case studies
This helps Discover understand that your content is made for Indian users.
If you serve multiple countries, create separate content angles for each region.
3) Rewrite Clickbait Titles Into Clean Titles
Discover is now strict about clickbait.
So review your titles and rewrite them in a clean way.
Example:
Bad title:
- “This SEO Trick Will Blow Your Mind”
Better title:
- “Simple SEO Tips That Improve Website Traffic”
Bad title:
- “Shocking Google Update”
Better title:
- “Google Discover February 2026 Update: What Changed”
Your titles should match your content. No over-promises.
4) Improve Content Depth (Avoid Thin Pages)
If your article is only 300–500 words with no real explanation, it may not perform well in Discover.
Discover prefers content that answers the topic properly.
So improve your content by adding:
- Examples
- Real explanations
- Step-by-step guides
- Simple headings
- Updated information
5) Show Real Experience and Expertise
E-E-A-T matters a lot in Discover.
So do these simple things:
- Add author name
- Add short author bio
- Mention real experience
- Add your company details
- Add contact info and About page
- Use original images where possible
Google wants to trust your website.
6) Publish Fresh and Timely Content
Discover loves fresh content.
But fresh content does not mean fake news.
It means:
- New information
- Updated guides
- Recent data
- New case studies
If you publish old topics, update them regularly.
7) Audit Low-Value Posts and Remove Them
Some websites have many posts that are:
- Too short
- Repetitive
- Written only for SEO
- Not helpful
These posts can hurt your overall website quality.
So do a content audit.
You can:
- Delete low-quality pages
- Merge similar blogs into one strong blog
- Rewrite weak content into helpful content
This improves your site’s overall trust.
Quick Checklist for Better Discover Performance
If you want better Discover traffic after this update, focus on:
- Strong topic authority
- Local relevance
- Real and clean headlines
- In-depth content
- Fresh updates
- E-E-A-T signals
- Less clickbait and less thin content
Final Thoughts
The Google February 2026 Discover Core Update is mainly focused on improving content quality inside Discover. Google is trying to show more local, helpful, and original content while reducing clickbait and low-value articles.
If your Discover traffic dropped, do not panic. Instead, focus on improving your content quality, writing deeper topic-based content, and making your website more trustworthy.
In the long run, websites that publish real, useful, and well-written content will benefit the most from this update.
Original Source - https://www.brillicaservices.com/blogs/google-february-2026-discover-core-update