Google Improves AMP Stories Support for More Visually Engaging Content for Websites

The internet has trillions of pages worth of content, so it’s vital that website owners and content creators use whatever tools they can to make their work stand out. Using the AMP Stories protocol is a great way to create web pages that are faster and more visually appealing. A recent change from Google will highlight web pages that utilize AMP.

AMP Stories is website content that provides a fast-loading, full-screen experience. Content creators can produce engaging visual narratives with animations, tappable interactions and more. AMP Stories are an excellent way to make mobile content more engaging. Rather than the traditional block of text with some images that are traditional web page fare, AMP Stories are full-screen visual experiences that feel akin to Instagram.

Making AMP Stories for your site takes more time and effort, but the payoff can be significant for websites that use the format. For some time now, Google has been placing markers around AMP content when it shows up in search. These markers were helpful for mobile searchers who wanted to quickly find high-quality content that would load quickly on their devices.

As Matthew Southern of Search Engine Journal explains, “AMP stories behave this way because they are HTML web pages built on the technical infrastructure of AMP. This enables them to be indexed by Google Search on mobile and rendered instantly, but it also means publishers will have to host each AMP story on their own site.”

Google’s latest change involves a section of search devoted entirely to AMP Stories. For example, when you search for CNN in Google, you will see a row of featured images on the top of the search that links to pages created with AMP. These won’t necessarily be substantial visual affairs (you can use AMP to make faster-loading traditional pages), but the content with the AMP symbol will load more quickly on your device.

Because users know that AMP content will provide them with a better experience, they are more likely to choose links in search that feature AMP. This tendency among online searchers makes AMP valuable to businesses that want to increase their mobile traffic. The introduction of AMP Stories, with its compelling visual format and rich media content interactivity, creates a new way for content creators to harness the power of their content marketing.

In a related piece of recent news, it’s easier for WordPress users on the go to take advantage of AMP protocols. Most webmasters use a desktop, laptop, or tablet device to access and edit their WordPress site. However, there is a WordPress app that lets you publish a website and create content.

A plugin was released last week that will make it easier to create AMP Stories in the WordPress app. It was possible to make AMP articles in the app without the plugin, but the new drag-and-drop functionality makes it easier to implement AMP protocols.

With AMP Stories, businesses can create visual experiences that are certain to wow an audience and encourage engagement. Google has a guide on how to get started with AMP Stories and how to make the most of the format.

For more recent news about changes and updates to Google, read this article on recent changes to Google’s Discover Feed.