Google Web Stories are tappable, interactive, and immersive content that are similar to Instagram and Facebook stories.
Launched initially as AMP Stories in 2018, Google rebranded this visual format to Web Stories in 2020,1 perhaps in part owing to the somewhat controversial nature2 of AMP technology in the digital publishing arena3.
In their updated and more refined incarnation, Google’s Web Stories are a visually rich form of content that allows publishers greater control over their creative output and branding. As Google states, Web Stories are “a web-based version of the popular Story format, allowing creators to host and own their content.”4
With almost two-thirds of readers (64%) preferring storied content over its scrolling equivalent, according to a study from 2019, developers should focus on ‘tapping’ into this format.5
However, the same survey revealed that there are “many design pitfalls that can create confusion, fatigue, and frustration”. Therefore, implementing design best practices is essential for creating web stories with maximum impact.
By understanding how to create and publish visually rich Google Web Stories, a publisher can maintain creative control, cultivate brand trust, and drive traffic to their website.6
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