Gagan Ghotra

Breaking News: Google Discover on Desktop – Now in Search Console Google Discover on desktop is finally here—and it’s already been quietly tracked in Google Search Console! After years of rumors (first spotted in India), and a low-key announcement a few weeks ago, Google hasn’t confirmed a rollout date. But thanks to a simple URL tweak, we now have access to 16 months of Discover desktop data—right inside GSC. Methodology: 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 for one of our domains. Thanks to Brodie Clark for the device=desktop tip earlier today). Quick Findings (based on 9.6B impressions): •Google has been testing desktop Discover for 16+ months. •Desktop impressions spiked around July 30, 2024, and again in October 2024 before dropping. •No noticeable uptick in impressions since the recent public announcement. •GSC does not show desktop Discover traffic in 87+ of the 280+ listed countries. •Mobile CTR is significantly higher than desktop in most countries—almost double in the U.S. •In the U.S., desktop traffic is only ~4% of mobile. In most countries, it’s even less—except New Zealand (18%), possibly a test market? This data opens up a new layer of Discover strategy—especially for publishers, brands, and SEOs. Desktop Discover is still in its early stages, but now’s the time to start analyzing. Have you checked your own desktop Discover data yet? Try my URL approach to compare desktop vs mobile, then download the data and analyze. Let me know what you find. Will share way more data at #seoweek on Wednesday