Google Discover Removing Follow Feature

11/20/25
Source: Search Engine Roundtable by barry@rustybrick.com (Barry Schwartz). Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of Google’s Follow Feature Update on Google Discover

Google has removed the documentation and visibility of the Follow feature linked to Chrome’s overflow menu, not the Follow sources feature in Google Discover. Users can still follow sites directly within Google Discover. The recent announcement caused confusion, but clarifications confirm the change pertains only to the older Chrome following functionality.

Optimixed’s Overview: Clarifying Google’s Recent Changes to Follow Features in Discover and Chrome

Understanding Google’s Follow Feature Updates

Recently, Google announced the removal of a follow-related feature, which sparked some confusion among users and SEO professionals. The key point is distinguishing between two separate follow functionalities:

  • Chrome’s Follow Feature: This was accessible via the overflow menu in Chrome for Android and included a dedicated ‘Following’ feed. Google has officially removed this feature and its associated documentation.
  • Google Discover’s Follow Sources Feature: This remains active, allowing users to follow websites directly within the Discover feed.

What This Means for Users and Content Creators

While the older Chrome follow feature has been discontinued, users can still engage with content creators by following sources in Google Discover, ensuring ongoing content discovery and personalized feeds remain intact.

Clarifications from Google and Industry Experts

Industry experts, including Glenn Gabe and John Mueller, have clarified on social platforms that the removal announcement refers exclusively to the Chrome feature, not the Discover follow sources. This distinction helps reduce confusion and guides users on how to continue utilizing Google’s content following capabilities effectively.