Google recently updated its Googlebot-News documentation to fix a misleading statement about how publisher crawling preferences affect Google News visibility. The correction ensures webmasters and publishers have accurate information about optimizing for Google News.
What Was the Error in Google’s Documentation?
Previously, Google’s documentation incorrectly suggested that crawler preferences set for Googlebot-News influenced content visibility in the Google News tab within search results. However, this was inaccurate.
Key Correction:
- Old Version (Incorrect):
“Crawling preferences addressed to the Googlebot-News user agent affect all surfaces of Google News (for example, the News tab in Google Search and the Google News app).” - Updated Version (Correct):
“Crawling preferences addressed to the Googlebot-News user agent affect the Google News product, including news.google.com and the Google News app.”
This means:
✔ Googlebot-News settings impact the standalone Google News app and news.google.com.
❌ They do not control what appears in the News tab on Google Search.
Understanding the Google News Tab vs. Google News Product
1. Google News Tab in Search Results
- Appears at the top of Google SERPs under the “News” filter.
- Shows news articles from Google News-approved publishers.
- Content must follow Google’s News policies to rank here.
2. Google News Product (news.google.com & App)
- A dedicated news aggregator platform.
- Follows different ranking and crawling rules than the News tab.
- Publishers must optimize for Googlebot-News to appear here.
Why This Update Matters for SEO & Publishers
- Clarity for Publishers – Ensures correct SEO strategies are applied for visibility in the right Google News surfaces.
- Accurate Crawling Controls – Publishers can now properly manage Googlebot-News without confusion.
- Better News Optimization – Helps focus efforts on news.google.com and the Google News app if those are target platforms.
How to Optimize for Google News Visibility
- To maximize presence in Google News (both the tab and product), publishers should:
- Submit their site to Google News Publisher Center.
- Follow Google’s News content policies.
- Use structured data (Schema markup) for articles.
- Ensure fast load speeds and mobile-friendliness.
- Regularly publish fresh, authoritative news content.
Final Thoughts
Google’s documentation update clarifies that Googlebot-News settings do not affect the News tab in search results, only the standalone Google News platforms. Publishers should adjust their SEO strategies accordingly for better visibility.
Read full updated Googlebot-News user agent documentation here:
