Editor’s Update: Google has disabled the method for accessing Google Discover desktop data in Search Console. This article reflects the change while retaining insights from the previously available data.
Google has confirmed that Discover will be available on desktop search, and recent findings reveal it has been in testing for over 16 months.
For those familiar with Search Console, this data was accessible until recently.
Discover Desktop Data Unveiled in Search Console
Google made the announcement about Discover for desktop during the Search Central Live event in Madrid.
Brodie Clark first discovered how to access desktop Discover data in Search Console. John Shehata, CEO of NewzDash, later expanded on this, showing that the data had been tracked since early 2024.
Shehata shared on LinkedIn:
“Google Discover on desktop is here, and it has been quietly tracked in Google Search Console! With a simple URL tweak, we accessed 16 months of Discover desktop data within GSC.”
Accessing Desktop Discover Data
The method, initially found by Brodie Clark, involved adding parameters to the Search Console URL to access desktop Discover stats.
Shehata explained:
“I added &metrics=CLICKS&compare_device=MOBILE&device=DESKTOP to the Discover URL in GSC. This allowed me to compare desktop vs. mobile Discover performance.”
SEJ tested and confirmed this method worked to reveal desktop Discover data.
Others were able to replicate it as well.
Editor’s Note: This method is no longer functional as Google has disabled this access point. The following insights are based on data collected while the access was temporarily available.
Key Insights from Desktop Discover Data
Analyzing 9.6 billion impressions, Shehata found:
- Google has been testing desktop Discover for at least 16 months.
- Significant traffic increases occurred around July 30, 2024, and October 2024.
- Mobile click rates are almost double those of desktop in most countries.
- New Zealand is a test market, with desktop traffic at 18% of mobile levels.
- Desktop data is not available for many countries in Search Console.
Optimizing Content for Desktop Discover
While similar to mobile Discover, consider these desktop-specific tips:
- Track both devices: Use GA4 filters to separate desktop and mobile Discover traffic with “pubsub2” referrer filters and device settings.
- Use quality images: Desktop screens display images differently, but Google still requires high-quality photos (at least 1200px wide).
- Craft engaging headlines: Discover favors headlines with a “curiosity gap,” offering enough info to interest readers while withholding key details.
Implications for SEO Professionals
The desktop rollout presents both opportunities and challenges. Desktop users browse differently than mobile users, affecting content performance.
Shehata noted:
“This data opens a new layer of Discover strategy. Desktop Discover is still in its early stages, but now is the time to start analyzing.”
Google has not announced when desktop Discover will fully launch. However, this hidden data gives publishers a head start in understanding this new traffic source.
Disclaimer: The insights in this article are based on temporarily accessible data that may not reflect the final implementation of Google’s desktop Discover feature. Publishers should consider these findings as preliminary.
