Check Your Pakistani Website Is Ready for Google Discover: Image and Headline Rules
Google says Discover needs no special markup. See its image size rule of 1200 pixels, the headline advice and how to read Discover traffic in Search Console.
Short answer: Google says there is no special markup or sign-up for Discover. A page is eligible when Google has indexed it and it meets Discover's content policies. You help yourself with a large image, an honest headline and timely content. Discover traffic is less predictable than search traffic, so treat it as a bonus.
Picture a Pakistani news blog that gets a sudden spike of visitors on Tuesday and almost none on Thursday. The owner did nothing different. That swing is normal for Discover, the feed that appears on many Android phones and in the Google app.
We read Google's Discover documentation on 12 October 2026 and list its numbers below. We could not see your Search Console, so we cannot tell you why your own traffic moves. We can show you how to check it.
Discover has no sign-up and no special markup
Google's page says content is automatically eligible if it is indexed and meets the Discover content policies. No structured data is required. So there is nothing to add to your pages to switch Discover on.
That also means no tool or plugin can promise a place in the feed. Be careful with anyone who sells "Discover setup". If a page is not indexed, fix that first with our steps for pages not indexed in Search Console.
Google also says Discover traffic is "less predictable or dependable" than keyword-driven search visits. Do not build a monthly plan on it.
Image rules are the part you control most
Google recommends large, high quality images at least 1200 pixels wide, with more than 300,000 pixels in total and a 16:9 ratio. To allow large previews, set the max-image-preview:large robots setting or use AMP.
| Item | What Google recommends |
|---|---|
| Image width | At least 1200 pixels |
| Total pixels | More than 300,000 |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| Large preview | Allow max-image-preview:large, or use AMP |
| Preferred image | Name it with schema.org markup or an og:image tag |
A logo or a small thumbnail is the usual reason a good article looks weak in the feed. Use a real photo of the subject and avoid text stuffed across it.
Headlines should say what the page is about
Google tells publishers to avoid clickbait and similar tactics that artificially inflate engagement, and to avoid sensational wording. It asks for titles and headlines that capture the essence of the content. Content that is timely, tells a story well or gives unique insight fits Discover best.
For a Pakistani site, that means a headline that names the subject, the place and the fact. "Punjab Changes School Timings from Monday" says more than "You Won't Believe What Punjab Did". The first is also easier for a second-language reader.
The same rule covers how you write with AI tools. Our summary of Google's rules on AI-written content shows where Google draws the line. Other site rules matter too, including the site reputation policy.
How to check your Discover traffic in five steps
Open the Search Console Performance report for Discover. Google says it shows impressions, clicks and click through rate for content that has appeared in Discover over the last 16 months. If nothing appears, your pages have not been shown there yet.
- Open Search Console and choose your property.
- Go to Performance, then look for the Discover report.
- Set the date range to the longest period available.
- Sort the pages by clicks and read the top ones.
- Compare those pages for image size, headline style and topic.
What to do when Discover traffic drops
Do not panic after one low week. Google says Discover traffic is less dependable than search. Look at the pages that did well, check that your images are still large, and make sure no policy problem is hiding behind a drop.
If you wrote about a creator or channel, the new Google profiles for creators are not open in Pakistan yet. Our note on the Google Search Profile for creators explains the current position.
The best habit is plain. Publish pages worth reading, with a real image, a clear headline and a fact the reader did not have before. Then check the report once a month and stop refreshing it every day.
Common questions
Do I need to add structured data to appear in Discover?
No. Google says no special markup is required. A page is eligible when it is indexed and meets Discover's content policies.
What image size does Google recommend for Discover?
At least 1200 pixels wide, more than 300,000 pixels in total, in a 16:9 ratio. Allow large previews with max-image-preview:large or AMP.
Is Discover traffic reliable?
No. Google calls it less predictable or dependable than keyword-driven search visits. Use it as extra traffic, not as your main plan.
Where do I see my Discover clicks?
In the Search Console Performance report. Google says it shows impressions, clicks and CTR for Discover content over the last 16 months.
Can I use a clickbait headline to get more Discover clicks?
You should not. Google asks publishers to avoid clickbait and sensational tactics. Write a headline that names the subject of the page.
Does a sitemap get me into Discover?
No. A sitemap can help Google find pages, but Discover eligibility depends on indexing and the content policies. Our guide on submitting a sitemap in Search Console explains what the file can and cannot do.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
We read Google's Discover documentation on 12 October 2026. We did not read the full Discover content policies page, so check it before you rely on any edge case. Google can change these figures at any time.
About the author
Founder and Editor
Umer Kureshi founded Pakistan Era in July 2024 and runs it as administrator, SEO lead and writer, overseeing website operations, search growth, content strategy and coverage of technology and current affairs.
