End of manual controls raises concerns over visibility and representation.
Google has completed its shift to automatically generated publisher pages in Google News, ending a system that allowed news organisations to manually manage their presence on the platform.
The change, finalised late last month, removes tools that let publishers customise how their content appeared, including the ability to create landing pages, set logos, adjust publication titles and control geographic distribution.
Google first signalled the change in April 2024 and confirmed it in a February update: “All publication pages in Google News will be generated automatically. Google News will no longer use RSS feeds or web locations that were submitted in Publisher Center.”
Under the new system, Google’s algorithms determine how news content is displayed, including what appears on a publication’s landing page—if one is generated at all. Some publishers may now find themselves without a dedicated page in Google News, raising the risk of reduced visibility.
Customisation options within Publisher Center have been stripped back. The Google News tile has been removed, and video content can no longer be submitted for inclusion via YouTube links. Instead, YouTube material is automatically assessed by Google for use across its services, including Google Assistant.
Logos and titles are now drawn from site metadata and favicons, rather than being set by publishers. Google has advised news organisations to follow its best practice guidance to avoid misrepresentation.
Geographic controls have also been dropped. Previously, publishers could limit where their content appeared. Now, unless they’re part of the News Showcase programme, content is made available globally by default.
Google’s voice assistant services are also affected. Text-to-speech summaries drawn from news articles are currently limited to the US, and publishers who want to opt out must take specific technical steps on their websites.
Barry Schwartz of Search Engine Roundtable described the changes as a significant shift in the balance of power between publishers and platforms. While Google says the update streamlines operations and improves consistency, it leaves publishers with far less control over how their work appears to readers. The full impact on traffic and engagement remains to be seen.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.seroundtable.com/google-news-automatically-generated-publications-39149.html – This article supports the transition of Google News to automatically generated publication pages, which eliminates manual control over publisher pages and removes nonessential customization features.
- https://ppc.land/google-news-shifts-to-automated-publication-pages/ – It corroborates the transition’s impact on publisher tools and the shift to automated content presentation across Google News, including the discontinuation of RSS feeds and web locations submitted in Publisher Center.
- https://support.google.com/news/publisher-center/answer/15898024 – This resource from Google itself details the move to automatically generated publication pages, explaining changes in content eligibility, the role of algorithms, and best practices for logos and titles.
- https://www.seroundtable.com/google-news-automatically-generated-publications-39149.html#comment-39149-139716 – This part of the discussion further highlights industry observations and reactions to the changes, including implications for SEO and news publisher workflows.
- https://support.google.com/news/publisher-center/answer/15898024#zippy – It provides additional information on how publishers should adapt their content for optimal representation on Google News, focusing on metadata and favicons for accurate presentation.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The changes were implemented in late March 2025, following announcements in February and April 2024, indicating recent activity.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
There are no direct quotes in the provided narrative.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from an online platform, but it lacks clear identification of a well-known reliable publication. However, the information seems well-informed and detailed about Google’s policies.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The changes to Google News align with tech companies streamlining processes and integrating AI-driven systems. The narrative is plausible and consistent with industry trends.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears to be based on recent developments and aligns with known practices in the tech industry. While it lacks a clear attribution to a well-established publication, the information itself seems plausible and up-to-date.
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