The world of search is changing: today, users can see your website without even typing a query into Google. This is all thanks to Google Discover — a personalized feed that shows articles, videos, and news based on user interests. For affiliates, this opens up a unique opportunity to gain free, targeted traffic and strengthen their brand presence.
What is Google Discover?
Google Discover is a personalized recommendation feed visible to every Google user on their smartphone — in the Google app, Chrome, and other services. Unlike search, Discover suggests content on its own, tailoring it to each person’s interests. The feed displays not only news but also evergreen content, which remains relevant for a long time.
How Does Google Decide What to Show?
Discover works similarly to social media by analyzing user behavior and interests. It takes into account:
- Search history (what users have searched for previously)
- Activity on YouTube, Google Maps, and Chrome
- User location and local interests
- Personal interest profile built from overall Google activity
Why Does This Matter for iGaming Affiliates?
In the iGaming industry, traffic is fuel. The higher the cost per click, the fiercer the competition for every second of user attention. Discover helps you go beyond paid traffic and reach an audience that hasn’t searched for your product yet but is potentially ready for it.
Here’s why affiliates should pay attention to Google Discover:
- Free traffic that comes to you. Once your site appears in Discover, it can get thousands of impressions and clicks without any ad spend. This is especially valuable for affiliate projects, where every click impacts revenue. Traffic peaks usually last 3–5 days, but during this time, you can capture the attention of tens of thousands of users.
- Attracting a new audience. Discover exposes your content to people who might not have found you otherwise. This is your chance to convert “cold” traffic into engaged leads.
- Brand recognition. The more often you appear in the recommendation feed, the higher the chance users will remember you. In iGaming, trust in the source directly affects conversions and user engagement.
- Revenue growth. Discover brings in an audience already interested in the topic, which can increase leads, ad views, and ultimately affiliate commissions.
How to Get Featured in Google Discover
Google decides what to show, but certain factors increase your chances:
Technical Requirements:
- Indexed pages (accessible to Google)
- Responsive design (works well on any device)
- Fast loading speed (optimized images, minimized code)
- Minimal intrusive ads and pop-ups
- High-quality images (at least 1200 px wide) with the meta tag max-image-preview:large
Content Requirements:
- Unique, useful, and accurate content (no copy-paste)
- Demonstrated expertise (E-E-A-T: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)
- Topics relevant to your target audience (use Google Trends, Exploding Topics)
- Content updates (refresh articles with new data)
- Clear, precise, and non-clickbait headlines
Content Restrictions:
Google strictly monitors Discover content. Prohibited materials include content that:
- Incites hate
- Contains fake news or misinformation
- Offends people
- Covers 18+ topics
- Promotes violence, cruelty, or unhealthy lifestyles
How to Know If Your Site Appeared in Discover
Google Search Console provides a special Discover report (available when your site has enough impressions). It shows which content appeared in the feed, along with impressions and clicks.
Why Discover Is Especially Important for Affiliates Now
Many traditional traffic sources are becoming more expensive and less effective. Discover allows you to reach audiences through new channels without increasing ad spend. Moreover, Google’s algorithms actively promote quality content, letting small sites compete with large players.
Conclusion
Google Discover is not an alternative to SEO, but a powerful complement. It is an additional channel for attracting users, leveraging trust and audience interests.
Want to know which topics are trending and how to get into Google Discover? Contact the affiliate managers at Samurai Partners — we’ll guide you on creating content that drives traffic and boosts your revenue.
