If you manage a news website, you probably want your content to appear in Google Search. That includes Google News, Top Stories, and the News tab. But getting your articles seen takes more than just writing them. There are rules and good habits that can help your content become visible.
This guide explains how to make your website work better with Google. You’ll learn how news articles get shown in search results, what Google looks for, and how to build trust and clarity on your pages. Whether you write daily news, cover local events, or post updates in a niche topic like gambling not on Gamstop, the tips below can help.
Where Your News Articles Can Appear in Google
Your articles can show up in different places on Google. You’ve probably seen some of them already. There’s the main search results page, the News tab, and Top Stories — which is that section at the top of the search page with headlines and images.
Google can show your content as a text result, an image result, a video, or even a combination. A regular text result uses the words on your page. Image results pull from photos on your site. Video results use videos that are on your pages. And rich results include special features like FAQs or steps.
Think about how your readers like to get their information. Do they want images? Do they prefer watching videos? Or do they mostly read articles? Based on this, you can decide where to focus your effort. Use tools like Search Console to see what is working best for your site.
Getting Into Top Stories and the News Tab
Two of the most visible places your articles can appear are Top Stories and the News tab. Both of these areas are part of Google Search, not the Google News app itself. You don’t need to submit your site to be considered — Google automatically looks at content from across the web.
To be eligible for these spots, you need to meet three things. First, you need high levels of trust, knowledge, and authority. Second, you must publish news often and consistently. Third, your website must follow the Google News content policies, which focus on transparency and honesty.
These sections are competitive. Only the best and most useful articles appear there, especially for major topics like world news, elections, or disasters. Still, if you meet the standards, your content has a chance to be featured too.
How Google Ranks News Content Using EEAT
Google uses something called EEAT to help decide which content to show. This stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. These are four things Google looks for when choosing what to rank higher.
Experience means the writer has lived or worked through the subject. For example, if someone reviews a product, it’s better if they actually used it.
Expertise means they know the topic well. A doctor writing about medicine is a good example.
Authoritativeness means the person or website is known for this subject. If people regularly go to your site for a certain topic, Google sees that as a good sign.
Trustworthiness is the most important part. Even if someone knows a lot, if the article is trying to trick or scam readers, it will not be trusted.
Make sure your articles are clear, honest, and written by someone who knows the topic well. Include author names and background information to help with this.
How Dates and Structure Help Google Understand Your Site
Dates are important for news websites. Google wants to know when your article was first published and when it was updated. This helps users understand if the content is current or old.
Add a date to your article in a way that is easy to find, near the top of the page. Use words like “posted,” “updated,” or “last updated” to show when the page was changed. In the HTML code, use structured data like the dateModified field to help Google read it properly.
If you update the article often, it’s better to use one page and keep adding to it. If you publish new articles for each update, link them together. A hub page that connects all parts of the story is a helpful way to keep things organised.
How to Use Images and Videos Correctly in News Articles
Images and videos make news more interesting, but they should be used carefully. Make sure each image is related to the article and helps tell the story. Avoid using big logos or watermarks that make the photo hard to see.
Don’t hide important facts in an image. If you show a graph or a number, write it in text too. Google needs the words to understand what the article is about.
Videos should also be useful and easy to understand. If you add videos to your article, use a clear title and description. Add structured data in your code to help Google know what’s in the video.
Being Clear About Ads, Paid Links, and Paywalls
If your website has ads, make sure they don’t cover up the article or confuse readers. Readers should know what is an ad and what is real news. Pop-ups and large banner ads can annoy people and make your site slower. This can hurt your search ranking.
If your article includes links to other sites, mark them correctly. Use “sponsored” for paid links, and “ugc” for user-generated content like forum comments. Leaving spammy or unclear links on your site can break Google’s rules.
If your content is behind a paywall, use structured data to label it correctly. That way, Google knows it’s paid access and not a trick. If the paywall hides everything and doesn’t use the proper settings, your content may be removed from search results.
Follow Google News Guidelines to Stay Visible
To stay in good standing with Google News, your site needs to follow a few key rules. First, be transparent. Show who wrote the article, the date it was written, and who published it. Second, avoid misleading ads and make it clear what is an ad and what is not. Third, keep your site clean from spam or hidden links.
If you follow these steps and create content that is honest and helpful, your site has a better chance of appearing in search. Google looks for quality, trust, and consistency — especially in news.
One More Tip: Use Google Search Console for Tracking
Search Console is a free tool from Google that helps you see how your site is doing in search results. You can see what people are searching for, which articles get the most clicks, and if Google is having trouble reading your site.
If you run a news website, this tool is a must. It shows problems clearly so you can fix them fast. There’s also a version of Search Console made for news sites, which includes tips just for this type of content.
Following the right steps doesn’t mean instant success. But if you do these things well — write clearly, use correct structure, follow the rules, and stay honest — your site will be more visible. Whether your content covers local news or niche areas like gambling not on Gamstop, the basics of good search visibility remain the same. Keep working, stay consistent, and over time your articles will reach more people.