Google News is about looks, too

Google News is about looks, too

Getting a site accepted as a Google News source is a very hard task indeed, and it’s not for everyone. If you are targeting Google News as part of your SEO, it’s important to realise it’s not just about content. If you want any hope of success, you have to have the right look.
It might sound strange that appearance can have any effect on your chances of being selected for Google News, but it’s true. Google has been cracking down on the number of non-news sites that have managed to work their way into its news sources, looking at more than content. This is why looking more like a media site helps.

Here’s some changes you can make if you’re targeting Google News as part of your search engine optimisation:
Design
If your site looks like a company website, it’s not going to make the grade. Convincing Google of your newsworthiness starts with the right layout, and magazine layouts are recommended. Talk to us at SEO.co.uk for further advice.
Supplementary pages
Having the right supplementary pages also gives off the signals that Google is looking for. As well as a good About Us page, one which features some meaty content, it’s a good idea to have a featured authors page, listing the names of your writers. This can make your site more attractive to site users as well.
Make things easier with a niche
No business can afford to run a general news site as part of their search engine optimisation campaign. Pick a niche in your industry, and feature news from there. This speciality gives you enough focus to make content writing easier, and give you more of a news drive. Cornering a niche will also increase the likelihood of Google choosing your site for its rare information.