Several Russian media outlets have reported declines in traffic from Google Discover, the personalized content feed built into Google Search. The trend has been described as the result of an update to recommendation algorithms or a deliberate throttling of certain sites, depending on the source. The reports come from RBC, which cites insiders close to Russian broadcasters.
Google Discover is integrated into the Chrome app on Android and is designed to surface material aligned with a user’s interests. For many readers, it serves as a constant stream of updates, including news items, articles from major outlets, content from bloggers, and other media formats. The mechanism behind Discover is to tailor a feed to individual preferences, pulling from a wide range of publisher offerings and social signals.
One RBC source claimed that traffic was halted for Komsomolskaya Pravda and Tsargrad, resulting in a marked decrease in total site visits. The publication’s performance indicators reportedly fell by as much as two to three times. The same coverage notes that several Zen bloggers complained about losing visibility in Discover’s recommendations, suggesting a broader impact on content creators who relied on the service for discovery.
A separate RBC source added that Tsargrad and Komsomolskaya Pravda appeared to be blocked in Discover immediately after the onset of the military operation in Ukraine, though they managed to maintain some traffic through other channels. The report implies a nuanced restriction rather than a complete disruption, with publishers seeking alternative means to reach audiences.
In statements about the situation, Olesya Nosova, the editor-in-chief of Komsomolskaya Pravda, indicated that the outlet hosted a number of entertainment projects that attracted Discover-driven traffic; these have reportedly been restricted by Google in the recent period. The comment underscores how Discover’s programming mix—entertainment alongside news—can influence overall traffic patterns when changes occur in the feed.
A Zen representative suggested the turnover dip in the third quarter of 2023 may correlate with updates to Discover’s algorithm, underscoring the sensitivity of traffic to changes in content ranking and recommendation logic. Publishers often monitor such shifts closely, as even small algorithm tweaks can affect which pieces are surfaced to interested readers.
Observers have noted broader shifts in the digital landscape, with Discover playing a growing role in how audiences encounter content. The timing and scope of any changes can affect not only large outlets but also smaller bloggers and entertainment channels that depend on Discover for a share of their daily traffic. The dynamic underscores the importance for publishers to diversify distribution strategies while remaining responsive to evolving feed criteria.
In related developments, financial and regulatory narratives around technology platforms continue to surface in public discussions. While reports on Discover’s changes reference traffic changes and policy tensions, the exact criteria behind any blocking or restriction decisions remain a point of analysis for industry watchers. For readers, the takeaway is clear: traffic opportunities from algorithmic feeds can shift, and publishers may need to adapt quickly to maintain visibility across major discovery surfaces.