Google is updating its Discover feed to feature social media posts from Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube Shorts, in addition to traditional articles. The rollout will also include a new follow button so users can subscribe to creators or publishers directly from the feed. According to Google, these changes are designed to reflect feedback that users prefer a mix of articles, videos and short posts in their daily feed.
New features, rollout, and user controls
Discover, which appears in the Google app and on Android home screens, uses browsing history and interests to recommend content. With the update, it will now include short-form social posts and videos alongside web content. The new follow button lets users preview material before following, with recommendations tailored to their Google account activity. Google has said the rollout will begin with a few platforms and regions, expanding gradually over the coming weeks.
Impact on creators, publishers, and audiences
For creators and publishers, this integration could increase visibility by surfacing social posts within Discover, potentially driving traffic without additional cross-posting. However, Google has not clarified how the algorithm will rank social content relative to news articles or long-form features, meaning the impact on reach will vary. Some users may welcome the variety, while others may question how social posts affect the balance of news and editorial content in their feeds.
The follow feature could also change engagement strategies, encouraging creators to design posts that prompt audiences to subscribe directly from Discover. For publishers, it adds another distribution channel but also introduces competition for attention within the same feed.