Google Testing Desktop Version of Discover Feed
Google is now bringing its widely used Discover feature to the desktop version of its search page. The Google Discover feed, which customizes content according to users’ online activities and preferences, has been a prominent feature on mobile devices such as the Google app and Pixel Launcher. However, this feature is now being extended to desktop users as well.
Familiar concept, limited control
Like the mobile version, the desktop Discover feed offers personalized content to users. It’s a feature many users are used to, but there’s a key difference: Google’s Discover feed can’t be customized or disabled on the desktop, unlike its Bing counterpart. Users cannot influence its appearance or content.
To strengthen its presence, Google has given website users guidelines on how to optimize their content for Discover. Pages with high-quality images and up-to-date information are more likely to be featured. The Verge reports that a Google spokesperson has confirmed that Discover is being tested on desktops. He noted that it is currently limited to users in India.
This isn’t the first time Google has considered bringing Discover to desktop users. In 2022, a version of Discover-like tiles appeared on the desktop page of Google search, presenting personalized content such as weather updates, stock information and news. At the time, users had the option to disable these tiles for a cleaner browsing experience. However, current testing suggests that this level of customization may not be an option if Discover for desktop becomes an official feature.
The concept of Discover is not unique to Google. In 2023, Samsung renamed the Samsung Free feature to Samsung News, focusing on delivering relevant news to users, similar to what Google aims to do with Discover.
Improved experience for Pixel users
For users of Google’s own devices such as the Pixel 8 series, the Discover page integrated into the Pixel Launcher has also received an update to match the 2023 Material You design trend and ensure a dynamic color theme to enhance the user experience.
As Google continues to develop its services and adapt to the latest design trends, the introduction of Google Discover on the desktop is poised to reshape the way users access and interact with personalized content.
