On January 12, Google Search Console launched Google News performance reporting. The new tool is designed to help news publishers measure the performance of their content more accurately. Publishers will be able to analyse user behaviour on Google News as well as iOS and Android Google News apps.
How to access your performance report
You can access your performance report through Google Search Console by clicking ‘Google News’ on the performance navigation’s left side.
Once you’ve clicked, you’ll have access to metrics including clicks, click-through rate (CTR) and impressions. With these metrics, you’ll be able to answer questions like:
- How many times have my articles appeared publicly in Google News?
- Which of my articles performed the best in Google News?
- How does user behaviour change depending on a user’s country?
The report can be used for any site that appears in Google News. With this in mind, if you don’t see this report for your site, then it’s likely because your articles don’t appear frequently enough in Google News.
You can use Google News performance report to determine how many times your website’s articles have appeared for users in Google News. The CTR metric means you can also see how many times those articles have been clicked on by a user. This is a particularly useful update for publishers as this set of data would not have previously been isolated.
How to appear in Google News
Publishers used to be required to submit their site URL to be eligible for Google News apps and sites. Now, all publishers will be automatically considered for Google News. The best way to qualify for Google News is by creating highly relevant and quality content. Google said:
“They need to produce high-quality content and comply with Google News content policies.”
If you’re a news publisher aiming to improve your content and performance in Google news – then you’ll likely benefit from signing up to Google Publisher Center.
What is Google Publisher Center?
Google Publisher Center is an interface that enables publishers to submit, manage and monetise their content in Google News. You’re not required to sign up to appear in Google News, but you will likely notice the benefits of managing your content in this way.
Submitting a feed through Publisher Center also does not guarantee that your articles will appear in Google News or directly increase your rankings. It will, however, help you to manage your content – which can bring positive results.
This Google tool enables sites to share content directly with Google News by submitting RSS feeds, website URLs and videos. The high level of control offered by the tool can lead to key benefits, including:
- Content and branding control: Design, brand, and customise your articles in Google News.
- Monetisation: Run ads inside your content area in the Google News app. The app supports ad serving via Google Ad Manager, including premium solution ads.
- Newsstand eligibility: Publications with business terms are eligible for the Newsstand section of the Google News app in applicable countries/regions.
You can find out more about this from Google here.