Google web stories, a new era.
Google has finally decided to join the web format stories style. Popular platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook are already using Stories.
However, this will be a huge game changer and huge traffic potential for those who develop their businesses on Google.
Introducing Google Web stories. Hello!
Google web stories will be a new way for publishers using Google (which is almost everyone) to get their live stories out to the world and potentially draw in a huge amount of direct traffic.
For example, bloggers or website owners, we all publish and aim to get onto the first page of Google right? I mean that’s where most of the traffic is found.
Google web stories will allow us to video clip stories to share with the world via Google web stories. This will allow us to present a short snippet of what we are posting about, to draw in the interested audience.
Google will be releasing an official WordPress plugin also, this is currently still in BETA testing.
You can sign up now to become a member of the beta world before the official launch, here.
Google announced a beta WordPress plugin that enables publishers to take advantage of Google’s relatively new Web Stories back in May 2020.
Web Stories will work in a similar format as they do on other social media platforms. The more you post, the more higher you rank in viewers eyes. Same will go for Google, it is a way to rank at the top of Google search, Google images, Discover, and the Google App.
Google Web Stories Explained
Stories was formed to allow the audience to absorb information in small chunks. Usually a 15-60 second video format. Google Web Stories is a new form of Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP).
They have decided to do things a little different though.
Let’s take a look at how Google web stories will be formatted.
– A Google web story will allow you to add anywhere between 4 and 30 pages to each story.
– Each story will need to contain words, so the audience can read the subtitles in case they are unable to hear it.
– Each page can contain up to 200 words
– Publishers can monetize Web Stories with affiliate links and promotional offers.
– Videos should be shot in portrait mode, not in landscape mode. That way they will display full screen on a mobile device. (Remember, it’s geared mostly towards AMP)
– An attachment link can be added to lead the reader to click and read the full length article. This is a great feature because it allows a publisher to sneak their content to the viewers attention via a Web Story and convert them over to read the entire article, if it is interesting enough for them.
Just like a trailer before the movie right?
– Google Web Stories is free.
The WordPress Plugin – Google Web Stories
Now we’re talking! Google announced a WordPress plugin to help publishers gain more traffic through the Web Story format. Finally, something to help the struggling bloggers gain a little more traffic than usual.
Knowing that there are nearly 30 millions blogs posted daily, I sometimes think, why am I still blogging?
Google has finally considered our efforts and hopefully this will bring more push of traffic to our blogs via the stories format.
Not sure what blogging is? Then read here!
Are you a blogger? Let me know below.
The WordPress plugin and the Web Story program currently are both in beta. With launch date approaching towards late summer 2020, the full version should be available with many more features and applications.
Overview of Google Web Stories
A Google web story is pretty similar to the stories platforms you have already seen. Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat all have the story format.
However, one of the big differences between all the other platforms and Google web stories is that each story has a URL.
Your stories will have a URL so you can share it anywhere with anyone. The link to the URL will open up the story and when clicked further can open to your original content.
Google Web stories are what the name says. They can be found on the Web.
They can be found in the Google search under ‘Top Stories’ on the Google Homepage which will be launched after Beta phase.
A full screen view will be available via desktop and mobile.
You can add a call to action on your stories and the pages can be customised as you want.
Will you be downloading the plugin? Let me know!
Other Platform based stories.
Snapchat
A Snapchat story is a photo or video you post to your very own snapchat platform.
This story is then visible to you and your friends.
You can use the stories section (or feed) of your account, which is visible by you and all your friends to make a story.
Simply swipe left from the camera tab in the Snapchat app and use one of the filters to create a post.
Stories are live for 24 hours and are deleted after that automatically.
Instagram, which is pretty similar to snapchat stories, in fact some say they even copied It.
It let’s you share all the moments of your day, live (in the moment) with your followers.
The feature enables you to share multiple photos and videos also, similar again to snapchat. And, of course, these photos and videos will disappear after 24 hours. I know right? Talk about copying.
“Copying someone’s success is a good way to grow your self. Just don’t diminish them and give the original creator credit.” – writtenbysadia
Instagram did just that, it allowed snapchat shares on their Instagram profiles too. Sharing is caring hey!
You can even add text and doodles to your photos and videos and there’s plenty of filters to choose from too.
Learn how to BOOST your Instagram growth here.
Facebook Stories
Feeling left out, but not for long. Facebook decided to join the gang too. After all it is the owner of Instagram itself, so why not.
Facebook Stories is also a short time lapse video format, which allows the users to make photo and video collages. These can be viewed up to two times and guess what? also disappear after 24 hours.
Do you use stories? If so, what platform do you like?
Leave me a comment below.
To learn quick shortcuts to starting your own business, follow my journey on TikTok @writtenbysadia
oh my! I didn’t know about this. thanks for the information
I know right!, I was so surprised to hear about this also. Will be a big breakthrough for us bloggers. x
Wow, this is insightful..Thankyou for sharing..
You’re Welcome hun .x
So interesting! I’m struggling to keep up to date with all these technical advancements but this post really summarizes everything so well. Thanks for sharing.
Aww Thanks for stopping by Catherine. xx
i have never heard of google stories at all before, but after reading this it makes me want to try to use the platform to create fun stories for my students.
It’s definitely exciting Caressa. x