Google Releases February 2026 Discover Core Update

Google has officially rolled out its February 2026 Discover Core Update, introducing important changes to how content appears in Google Discover. This update focuses on improving content relevance, reducing clickbait, and highlighting authoritative, locally relevant sources.

According to Google, this is a broad update to the systems that surface articles in Discover, rather than a traditional search ranking update.

Key Focus of the February 2026 Discover Update

Google says the update improves the Discover experience in several meaningful ways:

• More locally relevant content: Discover will prioritize articles from websites based in the user’s country, making feeds more geographically relevant.
• Reduced sensational and clickbait content: Headlines designed solely to attract clicks without delivering value may see reduced visibility.
• Greater emphasis on expertise: In-depth, original, and timely content from sites with demonstrated subject-matter expertise will be highlighted more often.

Because of the strong focus on local relevance, some non-U.S. publishers targeting U.S. audiences may see a decline in Discover traffic—at least initially. Google notes that this impact may lessen as the update expands globally.

How Google Evaluates Expertise

Google clarified that its systems identify expertise on a topic-by-topic basis, not at the site level alone. This means:

• A website covering multiple topics can still rank well in Discover if it shows consistent expertise in a specific area.
• Specialized sections within broader websites can establish authority independently.

Example from Google:
A local news website with a dedicated gardening section may be recognized as an authority in gardening. However, a movie review site publishing a single gardening article would likely not be seen as an expert source.

Personalization Still Matters

Despite these changes, Google confirmed that Discover will continue to show personalized content based on users’ interests, preferred creators, and trusted sources. During internal testing, Google found that users considered the updated Discover experience more useful and valuable.

Expect Traffic Fluctuations

As with any core update, publishers should expect changes in Discover traffic:

• Some websites may see increases
• Others may see declines
• Many sites may experience no noticeable change

Google emphasized that fluctuations are normal during rollout periods.

Rollout Timeline

• Currently rolling out to English-language users in the United States
• Global expansion to other countries and languages planned in the coming months
• Full rollout may take up to two weeks

Why This Update Matters

If your website receives traffic from Google Discover, monitoring performance over the next few weeks is critical. Google recommends following its general core update guidance and reviewing the Get on Discover documentation to align content with best practices.

At Earn SEO, our team of SEO experts in New York helps businesses adapt to Google’s evolving algorithms, including Discover-focused core updates. We create locally relevant, authority-driven content strategies designed to increase visibility, engagement, and long-term organic growth. Our approach aligns with Google’s emphasis on expertise, originality, and user value. Contact today to future-proof your website and maximize your organic traffic.