Top Stories is a Google Search feature that shows a set of recent, relevant news articles for queries about current events and newsworthy topics. It appears near the top of results on mobile and desktop. Eligibility follows Google's news content policies, and since the page experience update in 2021, pages no longer need to use AMP to appear. Content from any site that meets the policies can show, not only traditional publishers.
How articles get in
Google says there is no application process for Top Stories. Its systems automatically find and rank news content that follows Google News content policies. Freshness, relevance and the publisher's authority on the topic all matter.
- Clear headline and visible publish date
- Article or NewsArticle structured data
- Large images, with max-image-preview:large allowed
- Original reporting or analysis
- Transparent authorship and publisher information
When SaaS companies appear
SaaS companies occasionally reach Top Stories with original research, major product announcements or timely analysis of an event in their field. More often, they appear indirectly when news outlets cover them. Releasing data that journalists cite is a more realistic route than trying to rank company blog posts there.
Measuring
Search Console's Performance report can be filtered by search appearance for news features, and it includes a separate Google News report for traffic from news.google.com and the Google News app.
Example
Timely research tied to an event
Hypothetical security vendor Lockhaven publishes analysis of a widely reported vulnerability within hours, with original data from its own scanning. The article has clear authorship, a precise timestamp and Article markup, and it appears briefly in Top Stories while news coverage cites it.
Common mistakes
Assuming AMP is still required
AMP stopped being a requirement for Top Stories in 2021. Standard pages that meet the policies are eligible.
Questions
There is no separate application for either. Both draw on content that meets Google News policies and is found automatically.
