Google recently listed six ways that you can get your Web Story banned.
In this guide, I’ll go over each of them.
Of course, if you don’t want to get your Web Story banned, then you can just do the opposite of everything that I discuss here.
What Is a Web Story?
If you’re a little (or a lot) new to digital marketing, you might not know much about Web Stories.
In a nutshell, they’re nutshells.
No, really. They’re snippets of content that web visitors mentally digest in small chunks.
Think paragraphs rather than articles.
The typical audience for Web Stories includes people who are out and about. Google points to folks waiting for food at a restaurant or riding on a subway as classic examples of Web Story consumers.
Also: Web Stories can include text, images, or video content.
Google Web Stories
Now that you know a little bit more about Web Stories, let’s take a look at some ways that you can get them delisted from search results.
Disqualifier #1: Copyrighted Content
Well, this is an easy one.
If you want to get your Web Story disqualified, just copy someone else’s creative work and present it as your own.
And remember: the folks at Google are very good at tracking down content thieves. Don’t think you’ll get away with it just because you’re putting it in a Web Story.
Disqualifier #2: Too Much Video Content or Too Many Words
When it comes to Web Stories, less is more.
Remember, they’re designed for people who don’t necessarily have time to read a novel or even a 1,000-word thinkpiece.
You’ll need to get your point across in short order.
Specifically, Google limits text content to 180 words. You’re also encouraged to keep your videos under a minute.
Remember Shakespeare: brevity is the soul of wit.
Disqualifier #3: Low Quality Images or Video
If you really want your Web Story banned, just slap something together in about five minutes. And don’t bother putting it through any kind of quality check.
By the way, you’ll also do your brand a disservice with that move. So you get a two-fer when you go that route.
And what makes a “low quality” video? Grainy content. Distortion. Sound out of sync.
Lots of options. Take your pick.
Disqualifier #4: No Narrative
If your Web Story lacks continuity, Google won’t be pleased.
The whole story, according to Google, should have a “binding theme.” Also, there should be some kind of “narrative structure from page to page.”
Otherwise, don’t expect it to show up in search.
Disqualifier #5: Incomplete Stories
If you want Google to ban your Web Story, publish it before it’s finished.
But more than that, though, your Web Story will get disqualified if you create it as a teaser.
In other words, you can’t use it to get people’s attention and then tell them they need to click through to read the entire article. Google wants the Web Story to speak for itself.
A clickbait strategy won’t work here.
Disqualifier #6
Are you trying to sell something? Go ahead and make it obvious if you want your Web Story banned.
If you don’t want it banned, though, try providing content that’s useful to your target audience.
Who knows? Maybe they’ll appreciate it and become customers.
Wrapping It Up
There are plenty of ways to get your Web Story banned.
But if you don’t want it banned, just follow the rules that Google put in place. That’s how you’ll reach more people.
