Google just made a move that caught the SEO world’s attention in a big way.
On February 5, 2026, Google announced the February 2026 Discover Core Update, and this one is different from what we typically see. For the first time, Google confirmed that this core update is focused specifically on Discover, not Search.
If your site depends on Discover traffic, this is something you’ll want to understand right away.
Let’s break down what’s changing, why it matters, and what you should do next.
First, What Is Google Discover?
Google Discover is the personalized content feed you see in the Google app or on mobile devices. Instead of responding to a search query, Discover surfaces articles based on a user’s interests, browsing behavior, and topic preferences.
For publishers, Discover can be a major traffic driver, sometimes even larger than traditional search.
That’s why an update targeting Discover directly is a big deal.
What Google Announced in the February 2026 Update
Google describes this as a broad update to the systems that decide what content appears in Discover. The goal is to make the feed more useful and worthwhile for users.
According to Google, the update focuses on three major improvements:
1. More Locally Relevant Content
Discover will do a better job showing users content from websites based in their own country.
That means local publishers may have more opportunity to reach audiences nearby, rather than competing only with global outlets.
2. Less Clickbait and Sensational Headlines
Google is also reducing the visibility of sensational content designed purely to attract clicks.
This is another clear step in rewarding content that feels trustworthy, helpful, and written for humans, not algorithms.
3. More In-Depth and Original Expertise-Based Content
Google says Discover will surface more content that is:
- original
- timely
- written with real depth
- produced by sites with expertise in a topic
What’s especially interesting is that Google evaluates expertise topic by topic, not just site-wide.
So a general news site can still perform well in Discover if it has a strong section dedicated to a niche, like gardening or finance.
But a site that randomly publishes one off-topic article is much less likely to gain traction.
The Rollout: Limited for Now
This update is currently rolling out only to:
- English-language users
- in the United States
Google says it will expand globally over the coming months.
So even if you don’t see changes yet, it may be coming soon depending on your region.
Why This Update Matters More Than Usual
Here’s the real headline:
Discover rankings can now shift independently from Search rankings.
Historically, Discover changes were bundled into broader core updates that also impacted search results.
Now, Google is separating the two.
That means you could see:
- a drop in Discover traffic
- while Search traffic stays stable
Or the opposite.
For SEOs and publishers, this creates a new monitoring challenge. You can no longer treat Google traffic as one single channel.
What SEO Experts Should Do Right Now
If your site earns meaningful traffic from Discover, here are practical next steps:
Check Discover Performance Separately
In Google Search Console, review the Discover tab independently over the next two weeks.
A traffic dip might not be a Search issue at all.
Audit Your Content for Depth and Originality
Discover is leaning harder into content that feels substantial.
Ask:
- Does this article add something new?
- Is it written by someone with real experience?
- Does it go beyond surface-level summaries?
Avoid Clickbait Formatting
Headlines that overpromise or feel sensational may now be more likely to lose visibility.
Instead, aim for clarity and usefulness.
Strengthen Topic Authority
Since expertise is evaluated per topic, it’s worth building consistent coverage in key areas rather than publishing scattered content across unrelated categories.
The Bigger Theme: Google Is Fragmenting
This Discover-only core update reflects a larger trend happening right now.
Google is no longer one simple ecosystem.
We now have:
- Search rankings
- Discover visibility
- AI Mode experiences
- AI Overviews
- LLM-driven referral traffic
Each has its own signals, monetization plans, and ranking behaviors.
A year ago, one Search Console graph could tell most of the story.
In 2026, that dashboard is splitting fast.
Final Takeaway
Google’s February 2026 Discover Core Update is more than a feed adjustment.
It’s a signal that Discover is becoming its own ranking world, with its own rules and volatility.
For publishers, this is both a risk and an opportunity.
The sites that win will be the ones investing in:
- originality
- real expertise
- local relevance
- content written for people first
Discover is evolving, and the smartest strategy is to evolve with it.
