News SEO Study: What Gets Into Google News and Top Stories

Research into news SEO examined the factors determining visibility in Google News, Top Stories carousels, and Discover. The study analyzed ranking patterns across major news publishers and emerging news sites.

Technical Requirements

Sites appearing in Google News consistently met technical baseline requirements: fast page loads, mobile optimization, proper article schema, and clean URL structures with publication dates. News sitemap implementation correlated with faster indexing and better visibility for breaking news.

Publisher Authority

Established news brands dominated Top Stories positions. New publishers faced significant barriers to entry regardless of content quality. Building Google News presence typically required sustained publishing history and demonstrated editorial standards. Authority built over years, not months.

Freshness and Speed

For breaking news, publishing speed provided significant advantages. First-to-publish articles frequently captured initial Top Stories positions. However, comprehensive follow-up articles often displaced early thin coverage as stories developed. The optimal approach combined speed for breaking news with depth for ongoing coverage.

Content Differentiation

Original reporting, exclusive information, and unique perspectives improved news rankings compared to aggregated or rewritten content. Google's algorithms increasingly distinguished between original journalism and derivative coverage. Publishers adding unique value consistently outperformed those republishing wire content.

Source: Multiple news SEO studies compiled