Avoid using sensationalism such as morbid curiosity or outrage to attract Discover clicks.
- Avoid using sensationalism such as morbid curiosity or outrage to attract Discover clicks2 cited sources1 category
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Why this matters
Google discourages manipulation through emotional extremes, favoring trustworthy, balanced content in Discover.
Hypothetical standard operating procedure
Adapt this example to your site, access, tools, and change process. It is our suggested procedure, informed by the sources below.
- Review content for sensationalist language or framing.
- Rewrite content to focus on factual, balanced information.
- Train content creators on ethical presentation standards.
- Monitor user feedback and engagement for negative signals.
- Adjust editorial guidelines to exclude manipulative tactics.
Watch for
Sensational content may be deprioritized or excluded from Discover feeds.
Definition of done
Content adheres to factual, balanced presentation avoiding manipulative appeals.
Sources & attribution
Original checklist wording and example SOP by Best SEO Checklist, using source-grounded AI assistance. Editorial contact: Ted Kubaitis, @tedkubaitis on Teams. Check current source guidance before implementation.