What is Google Web Stories ?

Google Web Stories, formerly known as "AMP Stories," is a web-based format for creating and publishing visually engaging and interactive short-form content. It is designed to provide users with a mobile-first and visually immersive storytelling experience directly within web browsers and search results. Google Web Stories are part of the broader Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) project, which aims to improve the performance and user experience of web content on mobile devices.

Key features of Google Web Stories:

Visual Storytelling: Web Stories consist of a series of visually rich and interactive slides or cards that users can swipe through. They often include a combination of images, videos, animations, text overlays, and links.
Mobile-Optimized: Web Stories are optimized for mobile devices, offering a seamless and user-friendly experience for smartphone users. They load quickly, providing an engaging experience without the need for users to leave the page they are viewing.
Discoverability: Web Stories can appear in various places across the web, including Google Search, Discover, and other publisher websites. Google Search users can find Web Stories in a dedicated "Web Stories" carousel, making them more discoverable.
Shareability: Users can easily share Web Stories with others through social media, messaging apps, or direct links, making them a highly shareable content format.
Engagement Metrics: Creators and publishers can access engagement metrics for their Web Stories, allowing them to understand how users interact with their content and optimize it for better performance.
Monetization: Publishers have the option to monetize Web Stories through ads and affiliate links, providing an opportunity for revenue generation.
Easy Creation and Publishing: Google provides tools and plugins that make it relatively straightforward for creators and publishers to create, publish, and promote Web Stories on their websites.

Google Web Stories are a versatile content format used for various purposes, such as news updates, storytelling, product showcases, recipes, travel guides, and more. They offer a unique way for publishers to deliver compelling content to their audience and can help drive traffic and engagement to their websites.

It's important to note that while Web Stories are part of the AMP project, they are not limited to AMP-enabled pages. They can be implemented on any website and are accessible across different platforms and browsers.

Where will Google web stories appear?

Google Web Stories can appear in various places across the web and Google's services. Here are some of the key locations where you might find Google Web Stories:

Google Search: Web Stories can appear in a dedicated "Web Stories" carousel in Google Search results on mobile devices. Users searching for specific topics may encounter Web Stories related to their search query.
Google Discover: Web Stories can be featured in the "Discover" feed on the Google app and mobile browsers. Discover provides personalized content recommendations based on users' interests and browsing behavior.
Google Images: Web Stories can appear in Google Images search results, allowing users to discover visually engaging stories related to their image search queries.
Google App: Users may find Web Stories in the Google app on their mobile devices. The Google app often showcases Web Stories in the "Discover" section.
Publisher Websites: Many websites and publishers feature Web Stories on their webpages to provide visually engaging and interactive content for their audience. Users can discover Web Stories while browsing these websites.
Social Media and Messaging Apps: Web Stories can be shared on various social media platforms and messaging apps, allowing users to encounter them through shared links or social media posts.
Email Newsletters and Website Feeds: Publishers may incorporate Web Stories into their email newsletters or website feeds, allowing subscribers and visitors to access the stories directly.
Google Web Stories Website: Google has a dedicated website, "stories.google," where users can browse a curated selection of Web Stories on various topics.

Google is continually expanding the reach and visibility of Web Stories, so they may appear in other locations or platforms in the future. As a result, creators and publishers have the opportunity to engage with a broader audience and gain visibility for their Web Stories across different channels.

How to Use Google Web Stories

To use Google Web Stories, follow these steps:

Prepare Your Content: Create visually engaging and interactive content for your Web Story. Each story should consist of multiple slides or cards that include images, videos, text, and other media elements. Keep the content concise, mobile-friendly, and visually appealing.
Install the Web Stories Plugin (WordPress): If you're using WordPress, you can install the official Web Stories plugin provided by Google. Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to "Plugins" > "Add New," search for "Web Stories," and then click "Install Now" and "Activate."
Create a New Web Story (WordPress): With the Web Stories plugin activated, you can create a new Web Story by going to your WordPress dashboard, selecting "Web Stories" > "Add New." This will open the Web Stories editor.
Design Your Web Story: Use the Web Stories editor to design and customize your Web Story. Add slides, upload media, and format the content. You can also add animations, text overlays, and interactive elements to make the story more engaging.
Preview and Publish: After designing your Web Story, use the preview feature to see how it looks on mobile devices. Once you are satisfied with the design, click "Publish" to make your Web Story live on your website.
Optimize for Discoverability: To ensure your Web Stories are discoverable, make sure your website is mobile-friendly, and the Web Stories plugin is properly set up. Submit your Web Stories sitemap to Google Search Console to aid in indexing and visibility.
Promote Your Web Stories: Share your Web Stories on social media, in email newsletters, and across other marketing channels to attract more viewers and engagement.
Analyze Engagement: Monitor the performance of your Web Stories using the Web Stories analytics provided by Google. This will give you insights into how users interact with your stories, allowing you to make improvements for better engagement.

It's important to note that while the Web Stories plugin is widely used on WordPress, you can also implement Web Stories on other platforms or websites by following Google's Web Stories guidelines. Make sure to adhere to Google's best practices for Web Stories to ensure a seamless and engaging user experience.

By leveraging Google Web Stories, you can provide a visually compelling and interactive experience to your audience, potentially increasing user engagement and attracting more traffic to your website.

What is Google Web Stories ?