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As a relatively recent user of Google Pixel, I’ve found that the Discover feed has integrated seamlessly into my smartphone routine. Swiping right on my home screen has effectively replaced a traditional news widget, enabling me to maintain a cleaner Pixel Launcher setup. However, my initial experience with the feed’s recommendations was quite unsatisfactory, often appearing too random for my preferences. To make this feature more useful, I realized I needed to fine-tune it significantly.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve dedicated time to adjusting settings and modifying my habits to better align the Discover feed with my personal tastes. Here, I’ll share the strategies I’ve employed to enhance my experience.
Are you satisfied with your Google Discover recommendations?
97 votes
Yes, the recommendations are perfect.
5%
Yes, but they’re still not as good as they could be.
39%
I’m not happy with Google Discover, but it’s usable.
31%
No, Google Discover is completely useless to me.
25%
I use a secondary Google account just for my Discover feed
While it might seem natural to use your primary Google account for Discover, this isn’t necessarily the best approach. Devices allow for multiple Google accounts to be logged in simultaneously, and I’ve taken advantage of this flexibility. If you don’t already have a secondary account, I recommend creating one specifically for your Discover preferences.
Although my main Google account was once solely for Gmail and other Google services, I found that it lacked personalized browsing history, making Google guess my interests rather than pinpoint them accurately based on my habits.
For those who actively use Chrome or the Google app while logged into their primary account, you may not encounter the same issues I did. However, over time, your main account can become cluttered with inconsistent preferences. A secondary account can serve as a fresh start, allowing for more curated content tailored specifically to various interests.
Utilizing multiple accounts for Discover can lead to diverse feeds that focus on specific topics, enabling a tailored approach to content consumption.
Can you reset a Google Discover feed?
If you prefer using your main account for Discover but want to eliminate past browsing habits influencing your content, you might find yourself looking for a way to reset recommendations. Unfortunately, Google does not provide an official option to do this.
There are a couple of workarounds you can try:
- Manage your Search history to refine recommended content. Discover logs your queries made within the Google app, and removing some of these can help refine what you see. Navigate to your profile picture, select Search history, and choose to Delete your history entirely or selectively.
- Clear the Google app’s data on your device. Keep in mind this won’t affect recommendations on other devices or accounts, as I’ve noticed that different devices logged into the same account can yield very different Discover feeds.
Ultimately, if a complete reset is your aim, creating a new Google account is the most effective solution.
I give Discover a rest and use Google News instead
Though I have had mixed feelings about Google News in the past, it has become instrumental in refining my Discover feed. I often use it with a separate Google account, and as a result, my Google News and Discover feeds often mirror each other quite closely. This interconnectedness allows me to shape my Discover feed more effectively by leveraging Google News.
Google News stands out as a superior content delivery service compared to Discover, and their suggestions frequently align.
When using different devices, I often turn to Google News instead of Discover to keep up with articles. The consistency of the news app across devices makes it a more reliable source, reinforcing my preference for it to influence my Discover feed rather than relying solely on the feed itself.
Don’t forget Google News’ search bar
If I’m seeking articles from a particular source and can’t find them in Discover, I utilize the search function in Google News. Unlike the Google app’s search, which provides web results, the News app yields dedicated news cards. This search feature also allows users to explore specific topics, from broad categories like “Technology” to niche interests such as “AirPods.”
From my experience, actively searching for topics helps signal to Google what interests you, thus refining future recommendations.
I hide sites I don’t want first, topics second, then individual articles
While Google tends to correctly identify my interests, its recommendations on reliable sources can often fall short. I welcome exposure to new topics, but I would rather not engage with specific sites that I find untrustworthy, even if they cover subjects I enjoy.
I prefer for Discover to introduce me to new topics rather than exposing me to sources I’d rather avoid.
While hiding topics can be beneficial, I find that removing undesirable sites is more impactful. There was a time when Discover thought I was interested in luxury yachts (admittedly a surprising choice). After signaling my disinterest in the subject, Google adjusted its recommendations accordingly.
It’s crucial to select the most relevant topics to exclude rather than relying on broader options. If you want to ensure you don’t see content about yachts while still receiving travel articles, for example, make sure to specify that. The more precise you are with your preferences, the more effectively your feed will improve.
I delve deeper than the headlines and interact with interesting articles
This may seem like an obvious tip, yet many people, including myself, are prone to merely skimming headlines. Recently, I’ve made a point to engage more deeply with articles that capture my interest and to save those that stand out.
The save feature is particularly useful; I’ve noticed that saving articles related to air travel prompts Discover to present similar content as well. You can find all saved articles under the Saved tab, navigating to the Favorite pages collection.
Moreover, I’ve learned that the longer I engage with a piece, the more likely Discover is to recommend related content in the future. Interestingly, while I prefer reading full articles in Google News, the key takeaway is that interaction, regardless of the platform used, significantly influences future recommendations. This approach works especially well for specialized topics, enabling Discover to provide more relevant articles.
I tell Google what sports and financial indicators I like
If you’re keen to see more content concerning your favorite sports teams or financial interests, you can specify these preferences in the Google app’s Settings. Just tap Settings below the search box and ensure the Finance and Sport selections are enabled. Further customization can be done by tapping the Manage buttons beneath each category.
While I might not be particularly interested in Manchester United at the moment, I value the updates on various sports, exchange rates, and cryptocurrency trends. Since I’ve provided this information, my Discover feed has increasingly showcased stories related to soccer and cricket.
Overall, customizing your Google Discover feed is not an exact science, and random content will still appear occasionally. However, the insights I’ve gathered have proven effective in enhancing my Discover experience, leading to more relevant and engaging content tailored to my interests.
Source
www.androidauthority.com