The Google Follow Button on Chrome: Followers To Your Website

How Does the Google Follow Button Work?

The Google Follow Button is powered by RSS feeds, which distribute website updates in a format that’s easy for browsers and apps to read. When a user clicks on the Follow Button, they automatically receive updates from that website in their new tab page on Chrome. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:

1. Chrome Detects RSS Feeds: If your website has an RSS feed, Chrome automatically detects it.
2. Follow Button Appears: The Follow Button will appear in the user interface, allowing visitors to follow the website.
3. Updates in New Tab: When users open a new tab on Chrome, they’ll see updates from the websites they’ve followed. This is similar to the way users used to follow blogs via Google Reader in the past.

This feature creates a seamless way for users to engage with content they are interested in, making it easier for businesses to stay top-of-mind.

How to Use Chrome’s New Follow Button: Step-by-Step Guide for Users

Follow a Website Using Chrome

Following a website is like subscribing to its feed. New articles from the website will show up on your Chrome feed. Here’s how you can follow a website:

1. Open the website using Google Chrome on your Android phone.
2. Tap the three-dots menu in the top-right corner.
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the list and select Follow.
4. You will now see a confirmation screen showing you’re following the site.

View Content from Followed Websites

Once you follow a website, updates from that site will appear on your Chrome home page. To view content from websites you follow:

1. Open Chrome’s new tab page.
2. Tap the Following section in your Discover feed on your device to view content from websites you follow or subscribe to.

Unfollow Websites

If you decide to stop following a website, here’s how to unfollow it:

1. Open the website using Google Chrome on your Android phone.
2. Tap the three-dots menu in the top-right corner.
3. Scroll down and select Following.
4. A confirmation will appear showing that you’ve unfollowed the website.

Unfollow Multiple Websites (Mass Unfollow)

If you want to clean up your feed and unfollow multiple websites at once:

1. Open your Chrome feed and select the gear icon.
2. Select Manage.
3. Go to the Following section.
4. Uncheck the websites you no longer want to follow.
5. Done! You’ve successfully unfollowed multiple websites.

Manage Interests

Your Chrome feed shows content from websites you follow and topics Google thinks you are interested in. You can manage these topics through your Google account:

1. From your Chrome feed, select the gear icon.
2. Select Manage to adjust the topics and websites Google uses to tailor your content feed.

How to Set Up the Google Follow Button for Your Website

Setting up the Google Follow Button on your website is straightforward, as Chrome handles the heavy lifting. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Ensure You Have an RSS Feed: Most content management systems (CMS), like WordPress, Shopify, and Squarespace, automatically generate an RSS feed for you. If you don’t have one, consider using plugins or software that can generate one.
2. Check for RSS Feeds: You can verify if your site has an RSS feed by searching for the URL /feed.xml or /rss.xml appended to your site’s domain. For example, yoursite.com/feed.xml.
3. Test It: To test the Follow Button, open Chrome on your Android device (with Chrome 94 or later), navigate to chrome://flags, and toggle the Web Feed option if it hasn’t been enabled yet.
4. Add the Follow Button: Once your RSS feed is active, the Follow Button will appear automatically for Chrome users.

What Are the Benefits of the Google Follow Button?

1. Increased Visibility and Engagement

The Google Follow Button ensures that your audience stays connected with your website’s content, which means more consistent traffic and higher engagement. Since updates appear directly on users’ new tab pages in Chrome, this tool increases the likelihood that they’ll return to your site when you post new content, promotions, or updates.

2. Builds a Loyal Audience

The Follow Button helps businesses build a loyal customer base. When a user follows your site, they’re more likely to engage with your updates, fostering brand loyalty. By providing regular, relevant updates, businesses can keep followers interested and encourage repeat visits.

3. Drives Website Traffic

More followers mean more traffic. As users see updates from your site on their new tab page, they’ll be naturally inclined to click through to your site. This is particularly beneficial for businesses running time-sensitive promotions or offering valuable content that encourages frequent visits.

Why Google is Embracing User-Centered Search Experience

The introduction of the Follow Button is another sign that Google is actively working to help users create the search experience they want. If you visit a website often, Google is likely trying to get that site to improve rankings for related searches if you’ve shown frequent interest in it. This ties into Google’s broader strategy of making search results more personalized and relevant to individual users based on their browsing habits and preferences.

By allowing users to follow specific websites, Google helps connect search intent with personal preference, giving users more control over their online experience while helping websites improve their visibility in search results.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the Google Follow Button on Chrome?

The Google Follow Button is a feature that allows users to follow websites directly from Chrome. It taps into the website’s RSS feed and provides updates to users on their new tab page.

2. How does the Google Follow Button work on Chrome?

Once a user clicks the Follow Button on a website, updates from that site are shown on their Chrome new tab page. Chrome uses RSS feeds to track these updates.

3. Do I need to do anything special to set up the Google Follow Button?

No special setup is required beyond having an active RSS feed on your website. Chrome will automatically detect the RSS feed and display the Follow Button to users.

4. Can I use the Google Follow Button on mobile devices?

Yes, the Google Follow Button is available on Chrome for Android, and support for iOS is expected soon. Desktop support is also on its way.

5. Does the Google Follow Button increase website traffic?

Yes! By allowing users to follow your site and stay updated on your content, the Google Follow Button helps drive repeat traffic, increasing the overall visibility of your brand.

6. How do I know if my site has an RSS feed?

Most websites built with popular platforms like WordPress, Shopify, and Squarespace have RSS feeds enabled by default. You can usually check by appending /feed.xml or /rss.xml to your site’s URL.

Conclusion: Elevate Your Digital Presence with the Google Follow Button

The Google Follow Button on Chrome is a powerful tool that allows businesses and content creators to stay connected with their audience. By leveraging this feature, you can increase visibility, foster customer loyalty, and drive website traffic with minimal effort. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, tools like the Google Follow Button will play a crucial role in keeping your audience engaged and coming back for more.

If you’d like more details on setting up the Follow Button or optimizing your digital strategy, feel free to reach out!