Google has officially rolled out its first core update of 2026, and this one is different. The February 2026 Discover Core Update is focused entirely on Google Discover, marking one of the rare times Google has publicly announced a Discover-specific core update.

The rollout began on February 5, 2026, and is expected to take around two weeks to fully deploy. Initially, it applies to English-language users in the United States, with plans to expand globally to all countries and languages in the coming months.

According to Google, this update is a broad improvement to the systems that surface content in Google Discover, with a strong emphasis on content quality, relevance, and locality.

What Google Is Changing with This Update

Google stated that the February 2026 Discover Core Update aims to improve the Discover feed by:

• Showing more locally relevant content from websites based in a user’s country
• Reducing clickbait and sensational headlines
• Elevating in-depth, original, and timely content from sites that demonstrate expertise in a specific subject area

This shift means Discover will rely more heavily on geographic relevance and topical authority, rather than broad, sensational coverage aimed at mass exposure.

Impact on US vs. Non-US Publishers

One of the most significant changes affects non-US publishers targeting US audiences.

Because Discover will prioritize locally sourced content, some international sites may see a drop in Discover traffic from the US. However, Google clarified that over time, these same sites could benefit from greater visibility in their own local regions, where their content is more contextually relevant.

In short:

• Some publishers may see short-term losses
• Others may experience regional Discover gains
• Many sites may see little or no change at all

Early Reactions from Site Owners

As expected with any core update, reactions across the SEO and publishing community have been intense. Many site owners reported dramatic Discover traffic fluctuations, including:

• Sudden drops in Discover, News, and Image visibility
• Entire Discover presence disappearing overnight
• Partial recoveries after days of inactivity
• Significant volatility beginning around February 2–5

These fluctuations reinforce Google’s statement that Discover traffic is inherently dynamic, especially during system-wide updates.

Google’s Clarification on Expertise & Content Quality

John Mueller from Google provided additional insight into how Discover evaluates expertise:

Google’s systems assess expertise on a topic-by-topic basis, not just at the domain level. This means:

• A website covering multiple subjects can still rank well in Discover if it demonstrates expertise within each topic
• A focused niche site isn’t automatically favored unless its content consistently shows depth and authority
• One-off articles outside a site’s core expertise are far less likely to appear in Discover

Discover will also continue to personalize results based on user interests, preferred creators, and trusted sources.

Updated Google Discover Content Guidelines (2026)

Alongside the update, Google refreshed its Discover documentation. To improve the likelihood of appearing in Discover, Google now strongly recommends:

• • Avoiding clickbait and misleading previews, including exaggerated headlines or withheld information
  • Writing clear, accurate titles that reflect the actual content
  • Avoiding sensationalism designed to provoke outrage, fear, or shock
  • Publishing timely, original content that provides genuine insights
  • Using high-quality, compelling images, ideally:
    • At least 1200px wide
    • Enabled via max-image-preview:large or AMP

• Delivering an excellent page experience, including performance, usability, and visual stability

What Publishers Should Do Next

If your site relies heavily on Google Discover traffic, this update reinforces a familiar message:

• Focus on original reporting and expert-driven content
• Strengthen local relevance where applicable
• Eliminate sensational headlines and low-value engagement tactics
• Improve content depth, visuals, and page experience

As the update continues rolling out globally, publishers should monitor Discover performance closely and avoid making drastic changes until the rollout is complete.

As trusted SEO experts in New York, SEO Guru NYC helps publishers and businesses adapt to Google’s latest algorithm changes—including Discover-focused core updates. We specialize in building authoritative, locally relevant content strategies that improve visibility, engagement, and long-term search performance. If your Discover or organic traffic has been impacted, our team can audit, refine, and optimize your content for Google’s evolving quality standards. Contact us today to future-proof your SEO strategy and regain lost visibility.