Google Discover to bring Instagram posts and YouTube Shorts directly to your feed

Google is reshaping its Discover feed to bring together Instagram posts, YouTube Shorts and other content in a single space for news, updates and social posts.

Scrolling through multiple apps to stay updated may soon become less necessary, as Google is reshaping how people consume content on its Discover feed. The tech giant has announced that Discover will now highlight not only news stories but also posts from popular platforms such as Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and X, which could make it a more versatile destination for everyday updates.

Google is expanding Discover by adding Instagram posts, YouTube Shorts, and social updates. (Google)

By MD Ijaj Khan

Ijaj Khan is a technology journalist and Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times, with over three years of experience covering the consumer technology industry. His work spans smartphones, laptops, wearables, gaming, appliances and AI - from hands-on reviews, comparison and buying guides to breaking news and in-depth features that help readers cut through the noise and make informed decisions. Before joining HT Tech, he worked with Jagran New Media, where he sharpened his instincts for fast-paced digital reporting. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in English Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi. Whether he's testing the latest flagship smartphone, tracking a major AI announcement, or putting a gaming laptop through its paces, Ijaj approaches every story with the same goal - making technology feel relevant and easy to understand for everyday users, not just enthusiasts. When he's not in front of a screen for work, he's usually travelling to a new city, hunting for great food, or keeping tabs on what's next in tech before everyone else catches on.

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In an official blog post, Google has announced that the changes will roll out gradually in the coming weeks. The company confirmed that the feed will showcase “new content, formats and features,” which will allow users to see posts from publishers and content creators worldwide. The expansion will not stop there, as Google also plans to add support for more platforms over time.

The move follows user feedback, where many said they preferred a mix of articles, videos, and social media posts within Discover. By bringing multiple types of updates into one space, Google aims to make the feed more relevant to individual interests.

New Personalisation Features

To give users greater control, Google has added a “follow” button, positioned at the top right corner of posts. This feature allows people to subscribe directly to their preferred publishers or creators. Users can also click on the name of a publisher or creator to open a dedicated space showing their latest posts, videos, and articles before choosing to follow them. However, these tools require signing in with a Google account.

Google Discover already tailors content to millions worldwide based on browsing habits, but this new step brings social updates into the mix. Just last month, Google introduced another feature that lets users set preferred sources for search results, helping them filter out clickbait while focusing on trusted outlets.

With these changes, Discover is evolving into more than a news feed. It is becoming a personalised hub where users can follow both traditional publishers and social media creators in one place. For Indian audiences, this could mean fewer app switches and faster access to relevant updates from multiple platforms.