Google Features Web Stories Carousel on Discover Starting in India, Brazil and US

Google is introducing a dedicated Web Story carousel within its Discover feed, initially rolling out in the United States, Brazil, and India, with plans for further expansion to other countries. This feature empowers news publishers to craft their own stories using Google’s free tool and offers the potential for monetization. Web Stories resemble the familiar “stories” format seen in many apps but differ in that they are accessible on the web through a browser, not confined to a single app.

News publishers can commence their Web Stories journey by visiting stories.google, where they can find the Web Stories Editor. Google initially introduced Web Stories (formerly known as AMP Stories) in 2018, presenting content similar to Instagram or Snapchat stories but on the open web instead of within specific apps. Early adopters of this format in the United States included prominent partners like CNN, The Washington Post, Conde Nast, and Wired.

Google’s rationale for this format was based on user behavior on mobile devices, where readers tend to browse numerous articles but engage deeply with only a few. Visual elements such as images, videos, and graphics grab users’ attention quickly and maintain their engagement through easily digestible visual information.

Over time, Google has extended its Web Stories program to international audiences, with publishers like NDTV contributing to the Web Stories ecosystem by creating content in this innovative format.

For those unfamiliar with stories in various apps, the experience involves swiping through “cards,” tapping the right side to advance and the left to go back. Unlike a simple slideshow, Web Stories allow for full-screen videos, text, animations, and additional information that can be accessed with a tap. This format is ideal for conveying information in list format or showcasing visual transformations.

Web Stories are distinct from other app-based stories because they are available on the open web. However, in terms of appearance and usability, they closely resemble app-based stories. Google recommends vertical video, captions instead of speech, and concise text of no more than 30 words on a single page, catering to mobile users on the go.

Web Stories provide a full-screen, visually engaging narrative experience with animations and interactive elements. Being part of the open web, they can be utilized, shared, and embedded across the internet, eliminating the need for specific apps to access them. Additionally, they can be tracked and measured using the same tools publishers use for other web pages, as stated on Google’s developer site.

These Web Stories will be accessible through Google Search and Google Images, and Google has recently announced their availability through Google Discover and Google Search as well.