Google News is a popular news aggregation service offered by Google that enables users to access news articles from various sources. Achieving Google News Approval allows bloggers to have their blogs or websites featured on the Google News platform, ultimately enhancing website visibility and expanding audience reach.
While this approval can lead to articles appearing on the Google News homepage and search results, the process is rigorous due to Google’s strict guidelines.
This blog post outlines the intricacies of obtaining Google News Approval for your Blogger. It details the essential steps from readiness for approval to submission and ongoing maintenance. Additionally, guidance is provided on addressing potential challenges that might occur throughout the approval procedure.
For instance, if your blog specializes in providing the latest in technology news, securing Google News Approval can significantly boost visibility and audience engagement. By having your articles showcased on the Google News homepage, you can attract a broader readership, leading to increased website traffic, improved brand visibility, and higher advertising revenue.
Prior to experiencing these advantages, you must secure Google News Approval, which necessitates a comprehensive grasp of Google’s criteria and the application procedure.
Preparing for Google News Approval
Before you can apply for Google News Approval, you must confirm that your blog aligns with Google’s guidelines. Below are crucial steps to ready your blog for Google News Approval:
A. Google News Guidelines Overview
Google News enforces strict guidelines that websites must adhere to in order to qualify for inclusion. These guidelines encompass various aspects such as content, authorship, technical prerequisites, and journalistic integrity. Familiarizing yourself with these guidelines is crucial to ensure compliance before seeking approval. Key Google News guidelines include:
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Original Content Requirement: Websites are mandated to produce original content that is distinctive and not plagiarized.
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Content Quality: Articles must be informative, accurate, and provide value to the audience. Upholding journalistic standards regarding accuracy, fairness, and transparency is essential.
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Technical Prerequisites: Websites should be technically proficient, with features like a sitemap, no broken links, and clear navigation.
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Authorship: Articles need to clearly state the author’s information, including their name, bio, and contact details.
B. Crafting High-Quality Content
Producing high-quality content is a pivotal aspect in obtaining Google News Approval. Articles should be meticulously researched, informative, and valuable to readers. Here are some pointers to assist in creating quality content:
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Explore Trending Topics: Write about subjects currently popular and likely to capture readers’ interest.
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Emphasize Accuracy: Ensure articles are factual and precise.
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Adopt a Journalistic Approach: Infuse a journalistic tone in your writing to enhance credibility and professionalism.
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Incorporate Multimedia Elements: Enhancing articles with images, videos, and infographics can boost engagement and informativeness.
C. Establishing Blog Metadata
Metadata comprises information describing your website and its content. It is essential to configure your blog’s metadata correctly to adhere to Google News standards. Here are some vital metadata elements to set up:
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Title Tag: The title tag of your blog should precisely represent the content of your website.
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Description Tag: The description tag of your blog should offer a concise overview of your website’s content.
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Language Tag: Ensure your website includes a language tag that specifies the language of the content.
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Authorship Information: Your articles must include clear authorship details such as the author’s name, bio, and contact information.
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Publication Date: All articles should display clearly visible publication dates to indicate the most recent information.
D. Including an XML Sitemap
An XML sitemap is a file listing all pages on your website. Including an XML sitemap is vital for helping Google News understand your website’s structure and published content. Here’s how to create and add an XML sitemap to your Blogger blog:
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Generate a robots.txt file for your Blogger site.
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Input your website link and generate the code for the robots.txt file.
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Copy the code and paste it into the Custom Robots.txt section in the Blogger settings.
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Submit the sitemap to Google Search Console to facilitate the indexing of your website’s pages.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your blog aligns with Google News guidelines and is ready for the approval process.
Applying for Approval on Google News
Once you have readied your blog for Google News Approval, you can proceed with the application process following these steps:
1. Establish a Google News Publisher Center Account
To apply for Google News Approval, you must first have a Google News Publisher Center account. Follow these steps to create one:Â To start the process, please follow these steps:
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Visit the Google News Publisher Center website and log in using your Google account.
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Select “Get Started” to begin creating a new publication.
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Enter your publication’s details, such as its name, website URL, and language.
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Review and agree to the terms of service.
2. Request Inclusion for Website Approval
Once your Google News Publisher Center account is set up, proceed as follows:
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Access the Publisher Center dashboard and click on “Request Inclusion.”
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Provide all necessary information about your website, including content, editorial team, and publication frequency.
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Submit your website for review.
3. Await Google’s Review Process
After submitting your website, please be patient as Google conducts its review. The evaluation may take several weeks, focusing on your site’s content, technical aspects, and adherence to journalistic standards.
4. Troubleshooting Rejections
In case your website faces rejection, follow these steps:
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Enhance content quality by ensuring originality, informativeness, and thorough research.
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Address technical issues like broken links or slow loading speeds.
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Uphold journalistic standards such as accuracy, fairness, and transparency.
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Review and meet Google News guidelines to ensure compliance.
By adhering to these guidelines, you can apply for Google News Approval successfully and boost your chances of acceptance.
Best Tips for Sustaining Google News Approval
1. Consistently Publish High-Quality Content
To uphold your Google News Approval status, ensure a steady stream of high-quality content. Research thoroughly, offer valuable information, and adopt a professional, journalistic writing style to cover current topics effectively.
2. Adherence to Google News Guidelines
Maintain Google News Approval by strictly following their guidelines. Uphold original content, meet technical specifications, and adhere to journalistic norms. Regularly review guidelines to ensure ongoing compliance.
3. Monitor Technical Performance
Safeguard your Google News Approval by routinely checking your site’s technical performance. Comply with requirements like having a sitemap, avoiding broken links, and ensuring smooth navigation. Leverage tools like Google Search Console to address any technical issues promptly.
4. Uphold Transparency and Credibility
Emphasize transparency and credibility in your content to align with Google News standards. Provide clear authorship details, steer clear of anonymous sources, and maintain factual accuracy and impartiality in your articles.
5. Foster Reader Engagement
Boost engagement by interacting with readers through comments and feedback. Encourage sharing on social media and other platforms to enhance your site’s visibility and encourage active participation.
By adhering to these guidelines, you can sustain your Google News approval and capitalize on increased visibility and traffic.
Conclusion
Securing approval for Google News can greatly benefit bloggers by enhancing their visibility and expanding their audience reach. By following the steps provided in this guide, you can ready your blog for Google News Approval, submit your application, and uphold your approved status.
It is crucial to prioritize high-quality content creation, comply with Google News guidelines, monitor your website’s technical performance, uphold transparency and credibility, and interact with your audience.
Although achieving Google News approval demands effort and commitment, the rewards in terms of enhanced visibility, increased traffic, and broader audience reach make it a worthwhile endeavor.
