Google News: Take care of your square and rectangular logo

Since the redesign of the center for Google News publishers , we must admit that it’s is not easy to use. Many rightly confuse organization and publication. Because the interface makes it difficult to distinguish the two. In any case, as registering a content-oriented website is neither quick nor simple, it is not uncommon for the addition of the square logo and the rectangular logo to be done a little quickly. Because we prefer to move on. To configure your “Publication” and launch the review request.

But it is important to take particular care of your logo for Google News. Today I tell you why.

Google News or the Google information aggregator

Google News is a compilation of information and news offered to you at the next URL: https://news.google.com/

This compilation is presented on desktop a bit like a news magazine or a national newspaper. There we find a stack of articles with their titles and with or without associated thumbnails. We can logically discover above each news article suggestion, the name of the web media which published this article as well as a small version of the logo of this web media . We can also distinguish square logos in the screenshot with examples from french web medias such as “Le Figaro”, “Le Télégramme” or even “CNEWS”:

The square logos are very small on the side in the three item listing with no associated images. But we clearly recognize the logos of big media like the F of Figaro or the red T of Télégramme. Which proves how much when we are accustomed for years or even decades to the graphic identity of certain media, we recognize them without thinking. Even if they are very small. The same goes for mobile.

So to the question, should we take care of the versions of our logos requested by the center for Google News publishers ? I think we have the answer!

The better the quality, the easier the logo will be to “read” and recognize, and the more easily you will allow readers to recognize your media. Without having to read the title of the web media.

What dimensions for the logos on the Google News publisher center?

It is in the “Visual Styles” section of a publication’s settings that you can upload your web media logos.

Square Logo

For the square logo of your website, here are Google’s recommendations:

• Compatible formats  : PNG (recommended), JPEG
• Compatible dimensions  : 1000 x 1000 px (recommended), 512 x 512 px

To regularly add websites via the Google News publisher center, I recommend that you set 1000×1000 pixels. This will give very good definition for your logo. I also recommend the PNG format, which allows any transparencies and colors to be better displayed.

Rectangular Logo

Two versions of the rectangular logo can be added and it is clearly better to add both. The problem is that many structures often only have one version of a logo and it is the version of the logo that is displayed on a white or light background that wins. However, with the rise in demand for sites and media in dark version, adding the logo in dark version is recommended.

What is a logo in light or dark version?

Mainly for reasons of reading comfort, more and more Internet users are opting for a dark background display when they browse the Internet. Also, to allow your logo to always be readable on a dark background as well as on a light background, the Google News publisher center suggests that you upload both versions of your Logo. If, however, you do not have both, do not hesitate to create the missing version or ask your graphic designer for this version.

Here are Google’s recommendations for the rectangular logo  :

We so remember that we must prefer the PNG format, with a file of at least 400 px wide and a ratio which will not exceed 10:1 so that the image is not too thin/narrow.

Where can you see your logo on Google News?

To see how your logo can be displayed on Google News, simply go there directly via the url https://news.google.com/ then, for example, search for your website. In my case I get this for YesWeBlog with the square version of the logo:

You can also view the light theme as follows when you set up your post:

This can give you an idea of ​​whether or not you need to retouch your logo. If it is necessary to change it to the center for publishers etc… The Publisher Center is perfect on this weight so that it is possible to find out more about the reasons for these different versions of the logo to be added. Whether in Dark or light version or in square version or other, the logo to be added several times in varied versions is clearly useful. It easily allows the user to recognize the graphic identity of the media they wish to follow.

The challenge of graphic identity

Given the difficulty encountered by many people in successfully passing the review of certain web media, websites and blogs on Google News, you should put all the chances on your side to finally be validated and see your internet media be offered among the other websites on Google News. With a clean and neat graphic presence. With a clear and readable logo, even if it must be revised, recast or simplified.

Google News can be a real lever for traffic and visibility if your media matches the rules of this Google product. Unlike Discover (for the moment), you must show your username and password and your media must be validated by Google’s systems before any content appears on Google News. So if you make the effort to register on the publisher center, taking the time to upload clean, high definition versions of your logo will only help your web media. While offering the Google News audience a readable, clean, and easily identifiable logo.

Google News, is available almost everywhere in the world. The issue of the quality of its logo is so essential.

Related : How many subscribers you have on Google News ?