Google has begun testing the inclusion of Reddit content in its Discover feed, a move that could significantly impact publishers who rely on organic traffic from this source.
Key Points
Reddit in Discover: Google is experimenting with showing Reddit posts and comments in the Discover feed.
Search Result Similarities: This move mirrors recent trends in Google Search, where Reddit content has gained prominence.
Google Reddit Deal: In February, Google and Reddit struck a $60 million content deal, potentially influencing these changes.
Ranking Shifts: Publishers have noticed Google prioritizing Reddit in search rankings, sometimes at the expense of overall result quality.
Featured Snippets: In some cases, comments from Reddit posts are appearing as featured snippets at the top of search results.
Implications for Publishers
Traffic Diversion: Traffic that might have gone directly to publisher sites may now be directed to Reddit discussions.
Content Attribution: Publishers may find their content shared on Reddit appearing in Discover, but without direct traffic benefits.
SEO Challenges: The SEO industry may need to adapt strategies to account for Reddit's increased visibility in Google products.
This development raises questions about content ownership, traffic attribution, and the evolving landscape of digital publishing. Publishers and SEO professionals are advised to monitor these changes closely and consider how they might adapt their strategies in response.
As Google continues to experiment with content sources in Discover, the digital publishing ecosystem may face new challenges in maintaining visibility and traffic flow.
