The takeaways
- Google has announced a new WordPress plugin aimed at helping brands and creators increase their traffic, particularly via mobile platforms.
- The plugin creates tappable, short-form visual stories using videos and images, with a maximum of 10 words per story.
- Google has included options for monetization and released the open-source tool for public beta testing and feedback.
What happened?
Google has announced the release of its new WordPress plugin, “Web Stories.” Publicly available for beta testing, it offers tappable short-form content utilizing images and videos similar to Snapchat and Instagram Stories. Publishers can use the plugin to increase their rankings on Google Search, Images, Discover and Google App.
Web Stories content contains a maximum of 10 words per story and is a new version of Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP). Google developed AMP with Twitter as a simpler form of HTML that allows faster mobile loading. Furthermore, Google Web Stories is open-source and free to use, creating customization options for WordPress developers.
How can this be monetized?
Publishers can earn advertising revenues through Google Web Stories using affiliate links, Google Ad Manager and Google DV360 (Beta). The feature targets mobile users who prefer consuming “snackable content” over long-form. It also responds to the format’s wide adoption by tech platforms, including Google’s own YouTube, which created new opportunities and programs for ad revenue.
The story format has gained popularity due to its simplicity and easy digestibility for mobile users, which in turn can grow traffic and retention. The completed Web Stories plugin is set for release later this summer.
For more on this story, please see Search Engine Journal.
