The February 2026 Discover Core Update

On February 5, 2026, Google released a historic update: the February 2026 Discover Core Update. Unlike standard core updates that affect search rankings globally, this update is laser-focused on the Google Discover feed – the query-less mobile news stream used by millions. For businesses and publishers, this marks a pivotal shift in how content surfaces to users.

If you have noticed significant volatility in your mobile traffic over the last week, you are not alone. Here is how this update impacts business visibility and website rankings.

1. The “Local Authority” Priority

The most significant change is a heavy bias toward location-based relevance. Google is now prioritizing content from publishers residing in the same country or region as the user.

Impact on Business: If you are a global service provider or a publisher targeting audiences in the US or UK from a different location, you may see a decline in Discover impressions. Conversely, local businesses (SABs) and regional news outlets will likely see a boost in their specific territories.
Action: Ensure your Local Business Schema is airtight and your “About Us” page clearly signals your physical location to align with this new ranking factor.

2. The End of “Clickbait” & Curiosity Gaps

Google’s algorithms have been retrained to punish “curiosity gap” headlines – titles that deliberately withhold information to force a click (e.g., “You won’t believe what this CEO said…”).

Impact on Rankings: Sites relying on sensationalism are seeing rapid de-indexing from the Discover feed. The algorithm now favors headlines that summarize the essence of the story upfront.
Action: Audit your blog titles. Move from “teasing” to “informing.” High engagement rates on clickbait will no longer save you if the content doesn’t deliver immediate value.

3. Topic-Level Expertise (Niche Authority)

Authority is now being measured on a topic-by-topic basis rather than site-wide.

Impact on Business: A general tech blog that suddenly writes about “medical advice” or “finance” will struggle to rank in Discover for those off-topic posts.
Action: Stay in your lane. Build “content clusters” around your core services (e.g., SEO, Ranking Strategies) to demonstrate deep topical expertise.

4. Visual Requirements: The 1200px Standard

Discover is a visual-first medium. This update reinforces the technical requirement for high-quality imagery.

Impact on CTR: Content without large, high-resolution images is being filtered out.
Action: Ensure every featured image is at least 1200px wide and that your meta tags include max-image-preview:large. This is no longer optional; it is a prerequisite for visibility.

The February 2026 update is a “cleanup” of the mobile feed, favoring authenticity and local relevance over viral tactics. For businesses, the strategy is clear: focus on your local niche, use honest headlines, and ensure your visual assets are high-quality.

Author: Zammy Zaif