This post was updated on 1 May 2024 to include Google’s clarification.
On 8 February 2024, Google announced a major update on the availability of Web Stories. The update included several changes, the biggest being that ‘Web Stories don’t appear in Google Images anymore’.
However, on 28 March 2024, Google issued a correction to this, stating that ‘Web Stories continue to appear in Google Images, just as other web content may appear, but Web Stories no longer appear with the Web Stories icon in Google Images.’
Added to this, Google also revealed that Google Search Console had a bug during this same time period that did not show any clicks or impressions for Web Stories within Google Image Search.
What are Web Stories?
Google Web Stories were first launched in 2015. They were announced as a new format for Google’s Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) format. As such, they were known as AMP Stories.
Fast forward to 2018 when Google rebranded AMP Stories as Web Stories. Like Instagram Stories, Web Stories are mobile-focused visual stories that typically feature a mixture of video, images and audio. They use a carousel format that allows the user to pause, share and swipe from story to story.
This visually rich content was introduced to generate interest and draw in audiences. Essentially, it replicated social media stories into the web-browsing experience.
The Google Web Stories Update
In February 2024, a Google update announced changes to the availability of Web Stories. The update read: ‘Web Stories don’t appear in Google Images anymore, and the grid view is now a carousel view in Search results.’
Google also added a new section to their Web Stories documentation. Here are the main takeaways:
‘Web Stories can appear as a single result on Google Search, which is available in all regions and languages where Google Search is available. Web Stories can also appear in a carousel on Google Search, which is available in the United States (in English), India (in English and Hindi), and Brazil (in Brazilian Portuguese).
In the Discover feed, Web Stories can appear as a single card where you can tap through the story. While this appearance is available in all regions and languages where Google Discover is available, it’s most likely to appear in the United States, India, and Brazil.’
Google’s Clarification
Somewhat surprisingly though, in late March, Google issued a correction to its previous statement.
Google now says ‘Web Stories continue to appear in Google Images, just as other web content may appear, but Web Stories no longer appear with the Web Stories icon in Google Images.’
Added to this, Google has also revealed that Google Search Console had a bug during this same time period. As a result, GSC did not show any clicks or impressions for Web Stories within Google Image Search.
Google said:
‘A logging error prevented Search Console from reporting on Web Stories in Google Images from August 28, 2023 until March 26, 2024. As a result, you may notice a decrease in clicks and impressions during this period for your Web Stories in the Search Console Performance report. This has been resolved and you may start to notice an increase in clicks and impressions, as the data returns to Search Console. This did not reflect a change in actual clicks or impressions, only an issue with data logging.’
What Does this Mean?
For over a month, we thought that Google was no longer showing Web Stories within Google Image Search results. However, it actually transpires that Google Search Console data did not report on impressions or clicks on Web Stories within Google Images.
As a result, it appears as though the whole thing was one big miscommunication. Thankfully, Google has now clarified the position.
If you have questions about this announcement or if you want to know more about how this Web Stories update could impact your traffic, then get in touch.
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