Google tests hashtags in Discover feed

Google is adding a new feature to its Discover feed to make it easier for users to search for more content. The company is testing a familiar hashtag for relevant keywords below a story card.

9to5Google notes that the hashtags are likely furnished by Google and that the websites do not have control over it. It further says that the hashtag may help users learn more about the story, but the hashtag may render repetitive results.

For instance, a story on OLED TVs show #OLED under the story card, reports PCMag. Similarly, a story on iPhones shows multiple hashtags such as #iPhone, #iOS, and #Apple. If users click on the hashtag, the feed shows more related content from different sources.

The report further says that the feature is currently available to select users. It is not available on the iOS version yet. There is no word on when or whether the feature will be available to end-users.

It is worth noting that Google has used hashtags on YouTube for quite some time. Back in 2018, the feature became widely available. Over the years, it has been improved for more categories and videos on the platform.

Separately, Google is also working on a like counter for stories on its Discover feed. The like counter builds upon the like button that was available earlier. Before this, Discover feed showed a toggle button. The like counter is most likely to aim at encouraging users to engage more with content appearing in the feed. The feature is still under testing and hasn’t widely rolled out.