What does a Google Web Story include?
Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2025 3:48 am
A typical Google Web Story consists of three parts:
The Banner . This is the first thing you see as part of a Google Web Story. It's like the packaging for a product, and so it should entice your audience to open it and see what's inside, while also setting expectations for what's to come.
The cover page . This is the first “page” of the actual content and should therefore communicate to the audience that the action is beginning.
Story pages are the individual frames that follow the cover, through which the creator tells the story they want, sharing information and assets in a coherent narrative - much like a brand or influencer's Instagram story.
As always, it’s what creators do with those three parts that counts. Like good social media stories, the best Google Web Stories are the ones that are dynamic and experiential, including first-person narratives, live stories, educational pieces, quizzes, and surveys.
Creators need to be aware of the topics and whether their audience aligns with the most in-demand topic. According to Google data from 2021, web stories about entertainment, celebrities, sports, and gaming are in high demand.
Finally, a good Google Web Story adheres to content best practices for the platform. For example, Google also revealed in 2021 that the average user reads 11-15 pages of a Google Web Story. So creators need to include the most important information or elements of their story up front; anything beyond 15 will potentially be ignored.
How to create a Google Web Story?
Google has streamlined the process of creating a web story to make things easier for creators and has included some additional tools to help them out. Here's how to create your first Google Web Story:
1. Storyboard
Make sure all bases are covered and all key information is included in the right place with some basic planning. Use Google’s storyboard template to craft your narrative before you begin content creation.
2. Editing software
Creators have several options when it comes to creating and editing a Google Web St cmo email lists ory. Those with developer skills can create a story with custom elements using AMP by following this tutorial . If you're not an experienced developer, fear not: Google offers code-free options like the Web Stories plugin for WordPress. This drag-and-drop builder includes templates to simplify the process— try it out here .
3. Functional test
Once you've created your Google Web Story, make sure it works by running it through the following testing tools:
Check that it is valid for AMP with The AMP test tool or AMP Test Validator
Confirm that Google will index your story with the Sitemaps Report and URL Inspection Tool
Check how your story appears in desktop, mobile, and tablet views Chrome Developer Tools
4. Get going
If you are happy with your story and it has passed the tests, it is time to put it online by pressing the “Publish” button in the visual editor.
The Banner . This is the first thing you see as part of a Google Web Story. It's like the packaging for a product, and so it should entice your audience to open it and see what's inside, while also setting expectations for what's to come.
The cover page . This is the first “page” of the actual content and should therefore communicate to the audience that the action is beginning.
Story pages are the individual frames that follow the cover, through which the creator tells the story they want, sharing information and assets in a coherent narrative - much like a brand or influencer's Instagram story.
As always, it’s what creators do with those three parts that counts. Like good social media stories, the best Google Web Stories are the ones that are dynamic and experiential, including first-person narratives, live stories, educational pieces, quizzes, and surveys.
Creators need to be aware of the topics and whether their audience aligns with the most in-demand topic. According to Google data from 2021, web stories about entertainment, celebrities, sports, and gaming are in high demand.
Finally, a good Google Web Story adheres to content best practices for the platform. For example, Google also revealed in 2021 that the average user reads 11-15 pages of a Google Web Story. So creators need to include the most important information or elements of their story up front; anything beyond 15 will potentially be ignored.
How to create a Google Web Story?
Google has streamlined the process of creating a web story to make things easier for creators and has included some additional tools to help them out. Here's how to create your first Google Web Story:
1. Storyboard
Make sure all bases are covered and all key information is included in the right place with some basic planning. Use Google’s storyboard template to craft your narrative before you begin content creation.
2. Editing software
Creators have several options when it comes to creating and editing a Google Web St cmo email lists ory. Those with developer skills can create a story with custom elements using AMP by following this tutorial . If you're not an experienced developer, fear not: Google offers code-free options like the Web Stories plugin for WordPress. This drag-and-drop builder includes templates to simplify the process— try it out here .
3. Functional test
Once you've created your Google Web Story, make sure it works by running it through the following testing tools:
Check that it is valid for AMP with The AMP test tool or AMP Test Validator
Confirm that Google will index your story with the Sitemaps Report and URL Inspection Tool
Check how your story appears in desktop, mobile, and tablet views Chrome Developer Tools
4. Get going
If you are happy with your story and it has passed the tests, it is time to put it online by pressing the “Publish” button in the visual editor.