News SEO focuses on optimizing news content for visibility in Google News, Top Stories, and real-time search engine results pages.
What Is News SEO?
News SEO is the practice of optimizing news articles, publisher sites, and timely content to appear in prominent areas like:
- Google News
- Google Top Stories carousel
- Google Discover
- Real-time search results
It differs from traditional SEO by focusing on speed, freshness, credibility, and structured content, making it essential for publishers, media houses, and content marketers covering trending topics.
Key Elements of News SEO:
- Speed of Publishing:
News is time-sensitive. The faster you publish and index your story, the better your chances of appearing in Top Stories. - Structured Data (Schema):
UseNewsArticle
orArticle
schema to help Google understand your content and display it correctly in carousels. - Optimized Headlines:
Headlines should include keywords and be compelling but not clickbait. Keep them clear and relevant to the story. - Strong E-E-A-T Signals:
Emphasize Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness, especially for sensitive or breaking news topics. - Google Publisher Center:
Register your site and submit your news feed to Google News via the Publisher Center for better visibility. - Fast Page Load Time:
Speed is critical. Use AMP or Core Web Vitals-optimized pages to improve crawlability and user experience.
Best Practices for News SEO:
- Use timestamps and update them for ongoing stories
- Include clear author bylines and contact information
- Keep your URLs clean, keyword-rich, and date-specific
- Avoid duplicate headlines or overused tags
- Use internal linking to related stories to improve engagement
- Promote your content across social media for faster indexing